APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen was yesterday in Marrakech, Morocco, named African Footballer of the Year for his exploits for his club, Napoli and Nigeria, in the 2022/23 season.
Osimhen, who led Napoli to their first Italian title 33 years after the great Diego Amando Maradona, achieved that feat for the Italian side, beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakim and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah to take the crown.
To make it a double sweep for Nigeria, Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala, a serial winner of the award, was once again declared the African Women’s Footballer of the Year.
According to the report by Nigeria’s Guardian newspaper report on Thursday, Nigeria’s night of glory started with the Super Falcons, who defeated Morocco and South Africa to win the Women’s National Team of the Year. The team’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, soon followed with the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year diadem, with the Women’s Club of the Year Award going to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. The men’s category went to Al Ahli of Egypt.
It added that fittingly, Nnadozie’s award was announced by former Super Falcons’ goalkeeper, Precious Dede. But it was not so sweet for Super Falcons star, Deborah Abiodun, who had a sterling performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, as she was beaten to the Young Player of the Year Award (women) by Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad, while Senegal’s Lamine Camara won the men’s category.
The Goal of the Year award went to Mahmoud Kahraba of Al Ahli, Egypt, As expected, Morocco, who went all the way to the Qatar 2022 World Cup semifinal, won the Men’s National Team of the Year Award. They defeated Senegal and The Gambia to the crown.
Their goalkeeper, Yassin Bounou, capped Morocco’s joy with the Goalkeeper of the Year crown, just at the Atlas Lions’ coach, Walid Regragui, won the Coach of the Year Award. The women’s Coach of the Year crown went to South Africa’s Desiree Ellis.
Nigeria’s former international, Nwankwo Kanu won the continent’s best soccer star 24 years ago.
GIK/APA
Osimhen, other Nigerian footballers sweep CAF awards
