Nigeria made history in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday night, sweeping the Men’s and Women’s CAF Player-of-the-Year Awards.
This marks a remarkable feat, as no other nation has ever won both coveted prizes in the same year.
Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala rewrote history, becoming the King and Queen of African football in a night of triumph for Nigerian talent.
The celebration continued as the Super Falcons were crowned the continent’s best national women’s team for the year.
Also, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons’ goalkeeper, secured the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Three Super Falcons players – Michelle Alozie, Ohale Osinachi, and Oshoala – were included in the prestigious Women’s Africa XI team.
However, it was surprising to see Nnadozie, the continent’s best goalkeeper, missing from the list.
Victor Osimhen was the sole Nigerian representative in the Men’s Africa XI team, highlighting his impressive season and impact on the continent.
Host Morocco also had a remarkable night, winning in five categories, including the national team of the year for men following their unforgettable outing at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Osimhen, Oshoala, and Nnadozie on winning the awards.
Spokesman for the president, Mr Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement that Tinubu “also celebrates the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year.”
“The President commends the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.
“Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.
“I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.
“I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams,” the statement added.
See the full list of winners below.
Player of the Year (Men)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli) WINNER
Player of the Year (Women)
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona) WINNER
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)
Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo, Pyramids)
Peter Shalulile (Namibia, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly) WINNER
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR) WINNER
Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year (Men)
Abdelhak Benchika (Algeria, Simba SC)
Walid Regragui (Morocco) WINNER
Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Coach of the Year (Women)
Reynald Pedros (Morocco)
Desiree Ellis (South Africa) WINNER
Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)
Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)
Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt, Al Ahly)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal) WINNER
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC) WINNER
Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Young Player of the Year (Men)
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco, Real Betis)
Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz) WINNER
Amara Diouf (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women)
Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)
Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille) WINNER
Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburgh Panthers)
National Team of the Year (Men)
Gambia
Morocco WINNER
Senegal
National Team of the Year (Women)
Morocco
Nigeria WINNER
South Africa
Club of the Year (Men)
Al Ahly (Egypt) WINNER
Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club of the Year (Women)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Sporting Casablanca (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) WINNER
With Premium Times report
