Nigeria has lavishly celebrated the CAF Awards won by Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Osimhen was Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, voted Africa’s best player for 2023, Oshoala bagged the women’s version for a record-extending sixth time and Nnadozie was named the No 1 goalkeeper for women 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, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie also made the Teams of the Year.
The official X account of the Nigerian Presidency congratulated all the country’s winners, describing it as inspirational.
Sports minister John Enoh said the award winners will inspire others for global glory.
“The victory of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadoze and the Super Falcons at the CAF Awards not only brings pride and honour to Nigeria, but also opens a new vista for the country’s sports landscape,” he said in a statement.
“Their achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring young athletes, demonstrating that hard work, dedication and talent can lead to remarkable success on the global stage.”
“This recognition at the highest level is a massive shot in the arm for Nigeria football,” remarked Abuja Football Association chairman, Adam Muktar Mohammed.
“Evidently, there is an abundance of talent in Nigeria.
“We only have to harness this talent to be a major force in international football.”
Several Super Eagles stars led by captain Ahmed Musa and his assistant William Ekong as well as coach Jose Peseiro joined in tributes for Victor Osimhen after he was named CAF Player of the Year for 2023.
This followed his 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year Award in Abuja, Nigeria.
It is the first time a Nigeria star will scoop the prestigious individual accolade since 1999 by Nwankwo Kanu.
Eagles skipper Ahmed Musa led the tributes for both Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, who also won on the night a record-extending sixth CAF Player of the Year Award.
“Congrats once again @victorosimhen9 @asisatoshoala proud of you,” he saluted on X.
“Well deserved @victorosimhen9, we are all proud of you,” added William Ekong.
Coach Peseiro saluted Osimhen as a top professional who deserved this recognition, while Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi simply reposted a congratulatory message by the Super Eagles for Osimhen with the emojis of a crown and a heart.
— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) December 12, 2023
The local newspapers were not left out of the rave reviews.
The country’s impressive outing at the awards was the lead story of The Daily Trust 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 today.
