Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on Monday emerged as the 2023 CAF men’s ‘Player of the Year’, just as Asisat Oshoala, Super Falcon striker, was also crowned 2023 CAF Women’s ‘Player of the Year’ completing the double honour for Nigeria.
The 24-year-old Osimen his fellow 29-year country woman were announced the winners of the gong at the gala held in Marrakesh, Morocco. Osimhen garnered the highest votes to defeat Egypt’s Mohammed Salah, and Achraf Hakimi of Morroco to win the coveted individual prize for male African footballers.
L-R: Osimhen, Oshola and Chiamaka Nnadozie
The Napoli striker became the first Nigerian to win the CAF men’s Player of the Year since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Osimhen had a laurel-laden 2023, which started with leading Napoli to the club’s first Italian Serie A title in 30 years.
The Eagles striker scored 25 league goals to become the league’s highest goal scorer, setting the record as the first African footballer to achieve the feat. He was also instrumental for Nigeria during the AFCON 2024 qualification campaign and was the top goal scorer in the series with ten goals.
L-R: Osimhen; CAF President and Oshola after the award presentation
Osimhen was named the 8th best male footballer in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October. He finished higher than any other African on the list. He also became the first Nigerian to be named in the top-ten of the Ballon d’Or.
He recently won the Italian Footballers’ Association (IFA) Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 season, in which he was the highest goal scorer in the league with 25 goals. Osimhen joins the illustrious list of male Nigerian footballers named the best players on the continent. The list includes Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo, who won the prize twice, and the late Rashidi Yekini.
The Morroco, Marrakesh Monda event turned out a double for Nigeria with Asisat Oshoala, 29, Super Falcon striker, named the 2023 CAF Women’s ‘Player of the Year.’ The triumph is Oshoala’s 6th time winning the award, pulling clear as the footballer with the most wins.
Oshoala was adjudged the best African female football player in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The third award also came the way of Nigeria as Chiamaka Nnadozie the Super Falcons goalkeeper also won the women’s Goalkeeper of the Year prize.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria were also named the women’s best national team on the continent. The Nigerian duo of Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale made the CAF women’s best XI. However, Deborah Abiodun was beaten to the women’s best young player prize by Nesryne El Chad of Morroco.
The full list of winners below:
Player of the Year (Men)
Victor Osimhen
Player of the Year (Women)
Asisat Oshoala
Goalkeeper of the year (Women)
Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria
Goalkeeper of the year (Men)
Yassine Bounou of Morocco
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
Fatima Tagnaout of Morocco
Interclub Player of the Year (Men)
Percy Tau of Al Ahly/South Africa
Young Player of the Year (Women)
Nesryne El Chad of Morocco
Young Player of the Year (Men)
Lamine Camara of Senegal
Coach of the Year (Women)
Desiree Ellis of South Africa
Coach of the Year (Men)
Walid Regragui of Morocco
Club of the Year (Women)
Mamelodi Sundowns
Club of the Year (Men)
Al Ahly FC
National Team of the Year (Women)
Super Falcons of Nigeria
National Team of the Year (Men)
Morocco
Goal of the Year
Mahmoud Kahraba of Al Ahly FC/Egypt
