NIGERIA Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro were both very pleased last night as the country swept the major honours at 2023 CAF Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Gusau was present at the Hotel Movenpick venue of the CAF Awards ceremony and collected the Women’s National Team of the Year prize on behalf of the Super Falcons.
Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen became the first Nigerian to win the African Player of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999, while Super Falcons and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala claimed a record-extending sixth Women’s Player of the Year award.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, who starred for the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and kept three clean sheets in four matches as the nine-time African champions reached the round of 16, was unsurprisingly voted the African Goalkeeper of the Year (Women).
The Super Falcons, the only African team at the 2023 World Cup not to lose a match in open play, were named the National Team of the Year (Women), beating Morocco and South Africa to the prize.
Gusau said: “I am very excited tonight. This has been hugely rewarding for our football and for our country as a whole. I congratulate Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie, and I congratulate the Super Falcons as a team for bringing us this honour.
“My charge would be that they all keep doing what they know how to do best, keep improving and keep winning. The sky will be the beginning for them.”
Osimhen became the first player in the history of the CAF Awards to have been crowned Player of the Year (Men) after having been named the Young Player of the Year (Men) years before.
His national team head coach Pereiro was happy for Osimhen and his compatriots over last night’s success.
“A big salute to @victorosimhen9 for winning CAF Player of the Year and being named in the CAF team of the year! His exceptional skill, commitment, and top-notch professionalism mark him as one of the world’s best. Truly deserved for an extraordinary talent!” the Portuguese wrote on X in celebration of the player who scored 10 goals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series under his supervision.
“Applause to the @NGSuper_Falcons for winning Team of the Year! Congrats to @AsisatOshoala, @alozieee, @OhaleOsinachi for making the Women’s XI & @Nadoziechiamaka for Goalkeeper of the Year. Proud of our Nigerian stars shining on the global stage!”
