Super Falcons Crowned Female National Team Of The Year

Oshoala Wins Record Sixth Crown

Nnadozie Emerges Women’s Goalkeeper Of The Year

SUPER Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, and Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, shone like the stars they are at this year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, emerging as the men and women’s players of the year, respectively, thereby flying Nigeria’s flag high at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, December 11, 2023.

It is the first time one country will produce winners of both categories.

Osimhen emerged winner of the CAF Player of The Year Award and became the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999, while Oshoala clinched a record-sixth Women’s Player of The Year, thereby becoming the most successful women’s player on the continent.

The duo’s success climaxed a brilliant night for Nigeria after Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, won the women’s Goalkeeper of The Year, and the Falcons named the Women’s Team of The Year.

But Super Falcons’ Deborah Abiodun lost the Women’s Young Player of The Year award to Morocco and Lille defender, Nesryne El Chad.

Metz and Senegal’s Lamine Camara won the men’s category at the ceremony decided based on votes by media representatives, coaches and captains of national teams.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa clinched the Women’s Club of The Year, while Egypt’s Al Ahly won the men’s category for winning a record-extending 11th CAF Champions League title in June this year.

Super Falcons’ captain, Onome Ebi, presented the Inter Club Player of The Year award to AS FAR’s Fatima Tagnaut.

 Nigeria beat WAFCON winners, South Africa and Morocco to the Women’s National Team of The Year award, ostensibly due to its  superlative performance at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

 Morocco emerged winners of the men’s National Team of The Year for being the first African team to reach the semi-finals of last year’s Qatar FIFA World Cup.

Al Ahly’s Mahmoud Abdelmenem’s goal against Al Hilal was voted by the fans as the Goal of The Year.

Super Falcons goalkeeping legend, Precious Dede, handed the Goalkeeper of The Year (Women) award to Falcons and Paris FC stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, ahead of Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.

Morocco’s Yassine Bounou won the men’s category for his exploits with his country at the last World Cup, as well as his club, Sevilla.

Surprisingly, Nnadozie was not among CAF’s Women’s XI, which included three Super Falcons players- Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala.

In the men’s team, Osimhen joined Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in a three-man attack.

South Africa’s women’s national team coach, Desiree Ellis, retained the women’s Coach of The Year award, while Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to the semi-finals at last year’s World Cup in Qatar won the men’s category.