ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Three Nigerian players won individual awards while others featured in the team of the season with the female national team also featuring among the awards.
At the end of the awards ceremony on Monday night in Morocco, the Nigerian contingent to the North African country had copped almost all the laurels available.
This was a clear testament to the fact that the Nigerian male and female teams and players had a fantastic season individually, for their club sides and for the country.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons started with the flurry of awards on the night for the Nigerian contingent, as they were named the National Team of The Year for 2023.
The Nigerian female team, among other accomplishments in the year under review, were outstanding during their outing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
They gave all their more experienced opponents a run for their money, and were well celebrated after crashing out of the competition.
Nnadozie Chiamaka, who was one of the reasons for the female team’s outstanding show at the World Cup, making unbelievable saves, was consequently named Goalkeeper of the Year.
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One of the moments that left an incredible impression on people’s minds was the penalty save she made against Canada at the Mundial.
She followed the save with an all-round performance during the World Cup and many believe her award as the best goalkeeper is well deserved.
Also, during the event in Morocco, Asisat Oshoala emerged as the best female player in Africa for a record-extending sixth time.
No player, male or female, has won the Player of the Year award on Africa more than the Ikorodu-born player, and winning it for the sixth time just confirmed her dominance on the continent over the past few years.
Despite her injury struggles, Oshoala always finds a way of bouncing back, for club and country, and delivers when she is required to.
Her 21 goals in 28 matches for her club, Barcelona, was one of the highlights of her season.
READ ALSO: CAF Awards 2023: Osimhen, Oshoala Chasing History In Morocco
Victor Osimhen’s announcement as winner of the coveted CAF Player Of the Award was the icing on the cake for the Nigerian contingent to Morocco for the event.
He defeated Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and home boy Achraf Hakimi to become the first Nigerian since Kanu Nwankwo in 1999, to win the coveted award.
Osimhen was the Serie A’s highest goal scorer in the 2022/2023 season, helped his Italian side win their first league title in over three decades.
Nigerians had tipped the young man to win the award as he is believed to have been rightly adjudged the winner.
He also made it to the CAF Men’s Team of the year while Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale and Oshoala completed the list of Nigerian players on the Women’s Team of the year.