Nigeria scores with CAF top awards for men and women
Nigeria on Tuesday celebrated the CAF awards won by Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala from the Barcelona women's team.
The Eagles are flying extra high tonight. 🦅🏆
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
It's a clean sweep for the Nigerians at #CAFAwards2023. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/9jb4qwruV4
On Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, Osimhen was voted Africa's best player for 2023 and Oshoala bagged the women's prize for a record-extending sixth time.
France-based Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the top women's goalkeeper on the continent.
The Super Falcons were named CAF Team of the Year after they reached the knockout rounds of this year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Osimhen, Oshoala and Michelle Alozie also made the teams of the year.
The Nigerian Presidency congratulated all the country's winners, describing it as inspirational, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"This recognition at the highest level is a massive shot in the arm for Nigeria football," Abuja Football Association chairman, Adam Muktar Mohammed told AFP.
"Evidently, there is an abundance of talent in Nigeria.
"We only have to harness this talent to be a major force in international football."
However, Nigeria's 2026 World Cup hopes are already in jeopardy after they drew their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe last month.
The men's team also failed to reach last year's World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana on away goals in a play-off.
Several Super Eagles stars led by captain Ahmed Musa and defender William Ekong as well as coach Jose Peseiro joined in the tributes for Osimhen after he was named CAF Player of the Year.
The Nigerian Prince becomes King! 🤴
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
🇳🇬 Victor Osimhen is the 2023 Men's Player of the Year! 🤩
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑! 🔝 #CAFAwards2023 | @victorosimhen9 pic.twitter.com/WFVUBaqWkx
It is the first time a Nigeria star has won the accolade since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
"Congrats once again @victorosimhen9 @asisatoshoala proud of you," Musa wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Congrats ones again @victorosimhen9 @AsisatOshoala proud of you 👍 🇳🇬🦅🎉👏🌟🙏 pic.twitter.com/OERbNH2dgw
— Ahmed Musa MON (@Ahmedmusa718) December 11, 2023
"Well deserved @victorosimhen9, we are all proud of you," added Ekong.
Local newspapers also honoured the award winners on Tuesday.
The lead story of The Daily Trust was headlined "Nigeria sweeps CAF awards" accompanied by photos of triumphant Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie with their respective prizes.
The Tribune front page ran with a photo of Osimhen and Oshoala displaying their awards and flanked by CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
The same photo led the front page of This Day.
Advertisement