In the upcoming 2023 CAF Player of the Year Awards, Nigeria is poised to achieve a remarkable double victory with Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala leading the charge. Osimhen’s impressive performance for Napoli in the previous season earned him the title of Goal King of Serie A, making him the first African to achieve this feat.
His goals were instrumental in Napoli becoming champions after a wait of over three decades. Additionally, Osimhen’s contributions to the Super Eagles during the AFCON qualifiers, where he emerged as the top scorer with 10 goals, further solidified his reputation as a world-class star.
Oshoala, on the other hand, secured her place in history by winning the treble, including her second UEFA Women’s Champions League title with Barcelona Femeni. She also showcased her skills at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where Nigeria exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout rounds.
Oshoala, known as ‘Agba Baller,’ has already clinched the CAF Player of the Year Award four times, and winning it again in December would mark a significant milestone in her illustrious football career.
Nigeria has seen exceptional talents like Nwankwo Kanu, who received CAF Awards in 1996 and 1999, and Osimhen’s recent achievements have further elevated the nation’s football prowess. However, the competition for the African accolade remains fierce, with contenders from Morocco, who made history by reaching the semifinals of the previous year’s World Cup in Qatar, and the consistently outstanding Mohamed Salah.
The CAF Awards, characterized by sharp regional divisions and passionate emotions from jurors, have often produced surprising winners. Osimhen and Oshoala epitomize the brilliance of Nigerian football with their outstanding achievements at the highest levels.
As the awards approach, there is anticipation about harnessing the individual brilliance of players like Osimhen and Oshoala to elevate both the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons, ushering in a new era of greatness for Nigerian football.
IMAGE: Cloudnine Sports
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