…Sports Minister, President Tinubu hails award winners.
Monday night was Nigeria’s night of glory as the country’s football stars Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala were crowned the 2023 African Players of the Year in the male and female categories respectively.
Osimhen was selected as Africa’s best player ahead of Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s right-back Achraf Hakimi, ending Nigeria’s 24-year-old wait for Africa’s top individual football prize.
Oshoala added another feather to her cap, winning the African women’s player of the year for a record-extending sixth time. She had previously won the award in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s exceptional skills between the posts earned her the well-deserved title of African Goalkeeper of the Year.
The achievements culminated with the recognition of Nigeria’s national female team, the Super Falcons as CAF team of the year, solidifying the country’s dominance in women’s football on the continent.
Sports minister John Enoh said the prestigious awards “not only brings pride and honour to Nigeria but also opens a new vista for the country’s sports landscape.”
Enoh noted that Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie will inspire the younger generation for global glory.
“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,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu in a social media post on Tuesday congratulated Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie and the Super Falcons for the feat.
He lauded the award winners “for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.”
“I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams,” the President added.
