NIGERIAN duo of Victor Osimhen (SS Napoli) and Asisat Oshuola (FC Barcelona) have emerged 2023 CAF Africa Player of the Year, Men and Women categories respectively
The lanky striker was instrumental in the 2022/2023 season, where he scored 31 goals in 39 appearances and led Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years since 1989/1990.
He also became the FIRST African to win the Capocannoniere – the Top Scorer’s Award in the Italian top flight.
Although he did not go to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to Nigeria’s failure to qualify, he led the scoring charts in the AFCON qualification series with ten goals.
Osimhen thus becomes the first Nigerian in 24 years to win the prestigious award, since former Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth forward Nwankwo Kanu last did so in 1999.
Meanwhile, reigning holder and Nigeria attacker Asisat Oshoala once more made history as she claimed a record-extending sixth Women’s Player of the Year Award.
Oshoala netted 28 times for club and country in 2023 as FC Barcelona Femeni won the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the league title, while Nigeria advanced to the second round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Other winners on the night include Walid Regragui who won the Men’s Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis who scooped the Women’s Coach of the Year, while the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Atlas Lions of Morocco were named the Women’s and Men’s National Teams of the Year.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui wins the Men’s Coach of the Year.
South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis wins the Women’s Coach of the Year.
Yassine Bounou (Morocco) picks up the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year gong.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie wins the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco who became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, are named the Men’s National Team of the Year.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are named the Women’s National Team of the Year, having reached the knockout rounds of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Percy Tau (Al Ahly) scoops the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year.
Fatima Tagnaout scoops the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year.
Lamine Camara (Senegal) is named the Men’s Young Player of the Year.
Eighteen-Eleven Media