It was an unforgettable night for all Nigerians as Victor Osimhen defeated Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to be crowned the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year.
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of the Year award while Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nadoji was named Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Super Falcons were named the continent’s best women’s national team after their exceptional performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they did not lose a regular match.
Osimhen dethrones Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigerian to win the African Player of the Year award in 1999. This record stood for 24 years until Osimhen broke it on Monday night.
The Arsenal legend has already congratulated his young compatriot, and word on the street is that Osimhen could aim for a second title next year, equaling Kanu’s record of second for the award. .
β Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) December 11, 2023
Wouldn’t King Kanu be dissatisfied if a boy from the countryside on the outskirts of Lagos succeeded to the throne?
Amunike will feel the heat for the next few days
The 1994 CAF Player of the Year, Emmanuel Amunike, was the coach who discovered Osimhen in grassroots football and molded him into a teenage star at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup, giving Nigeria an amazing I won easily.
Since then, Osimhen has often recognized Amunike as his teacher.
Strangely, however, before the CAF Awards, Amunique suggested that Liverpool’s Salah be given the Player of the Year award over Osimhen.
The moment Osimhen’s boyhood coach and Former African Footballer of The Year, Emmanuel Amunike (Amuneke) chose Mohammed Salah over Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi for #CAFAwards2023 https://t.co/7rWKv6LwVi pic.twitter.com/CS1bAEHCyy
β π¬ @πΌπ»π²π·πΌπ―πΉπ²πππ―πΌπ (@OneJoblessBoy) December 11, 2023
Interestingly, Osimhen accepted the award and praised the former Barcelona player’s role in Amunique’s growth.
Nigerians rise
Victor Osimhenβs U-17 coach Emmanuel Amunike picked Sallah over Victor for the award.
Victor won and said he is grateful to Emmanuel Amunike for this award.
The pettiness πβ€οΈπ₯
β SMALLIE (@the_smallie) December 11, 2023
Is Oshoala the greatest female footballer in Africaβs history?
In Marrakech, Morocco, Oshoala sealed his greatness and won his sixth African Player of the Year award.
This was the greatest victory ever achieved by an individual on this continent, male or female, and secured him a place as an all-time great in the history of the game.
This is no small accomplishment, especially for a continent blessed with the likes of Perpetual Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Alberta Sackey, Adjoa Bayor, Cynthia Uwak, and GaΓ«lle Enganamouit.
It’s safe to say that Oshoala, 29, doesn’t seem ready yet.
Let’s do this again next year, Superji, shall we?
When your fatherβs criticism pushes you into the record books
Nadozier has often talked about how her father almost ruined her dream of becoming a professional goalkeeper.
π¨π³π¬ Chiamaka Nnadozie speech after winning the Goalkeeper of the Year at the #CAFAwards pic.twitter.com/rtdxuWsoen
β Football View (@FootballViewYT) December 11, 2023
After winning the Best Goalkeeper award, she remixed the song again, this time using this story to inspire all young girls on the continent, even if their closest relatives are their harshest critics. encouraged them to shoot for their dreams.
I would like to thank Chiamaka’s father for being a driving force in his daughter’s pursuit of excellence, keeping three clean sheets in the World Cup and helping Paris FC qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. We are all grateful.
Nadozier also entered the record books as the first player to win the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, which was presented for the first time this year.
The congratulations are flowing in
William Troost-Ekong was one of the first players to congratulate Victor Osimhen on his historic victory.
Well deserved π³π¬ β¨ @victorosimhen9 we are all proud of you! https://t.co/uUafCwf5oH
β William Troost-Ekong (@WTroostEkong) December 11, 2023
Victor Boniface and Osimhen consider each other to be brothers in this match, and the Bayer Leverkusen man was quick to highlight his friend’s recent achievements.
Congrats my broksi @victorosimhen9 pic.twitter.com/KsB0jHs08w
β Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) December 11, 2023
When the Prince of Naples was proclaimed King of Africa, Italians attended the celebration.
β¨ ππππππ-π
π #Osimhen was named Men’s Player of the Year. Congratulations, Victor!
π #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/cmJfOZx5Fj
β Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) December 11, 2023
No one wants to be left behind. Golden boy, Osimhen.
Presenting Victor Osimhen, the 2023 @CAF_Online Men’s Player of the Year! π¦ π³π¬#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/lNcJtfsoin
β Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 11, 2023
Nigerians in the Team of the Year
On the men’s side, Osimhen is the only Nigerian to be named in Africa’s best eleven. The Napoli players will replace the strikers in the front three, with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah on either flank.
In the women’s division, three Super Falcons star players were named Team of the Year.
Interestingly, Nadoziye missed out on the goalkeeper spot, but Michel Alozi came on at right-back, with Oshinachi O’Haile retaining his position in the heart of defence.
Oshoala played as the number 9 in the attacking team for Nigeria.
It was a great night for Nigerian football!
