Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala has clinched the prestigious African Women’s Player of the Year award for a remarkable sixth time, extending her record.
The Barcelona star secured the title at the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, reaffirming her dominance in African women’s football. Oshoala’s previous wins came in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
This latest honor further solidifies her exceptional status in the continent’s women’s football landscape, surpassing competition from Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa and Barbara Banda of Zambia.
THE SIXTH!: Asisat Oshoala 2023 Women’s Player of the Year!
“This night, I would love to use this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of my journey from grassroots football to the national level to the club side. Because without you, my coaches, and my teammates, there will be no me,” Oshoal said in her acceptance speech.
“Football is a team sport; it’s a team game and I urge all the federations in Africa to please come together; let’s work together and build our continent. Let’s make it the best in the world.
“It is very possible; it happened in the last men’s World Cup; we saw what happened, and we shocked the world. In the last World Cup, all the national teams that represented Africa in Australia made history.
“And I believe that before the next World Cup, we can get better, we can do better and we can win it for sure. Because at the end of the day, if we don’t support ourselves, nobody will come to Africa; nobody will come to this continent to support us.
“We have to work together as a team because football is a team sport. Let’s start at home and go to the world and conquer it.”
Nigeria Excels in Morocco with Multiple Awards
Nigeria enjoyed a triumphant evening at the 2023 CAF Awards in Morocco.
Oshoala, who secured a treble with her Spanish club, claimed the Pichichi for sharing the league’s top scorer title with 27 goals. Additionally, she played a vital role as Nigeria advanced to the round of 16 in the World Cup held in New Zealand and Australia.
Oshoala’s remarkable achievement includes being the first to clinch the accolade six times, and she has also been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Nnadozie played a crucial role as Nigeria reached the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup.
Victor Osimhen, another Nigerian talent, stood out by winning the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award. Chiamaka Nnadozie’s stellar performance in the World Cup earned her the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year recognition.
Photo: X@CAFonline
Ada Peter
