Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala secured the 2023 African footballer of the year accolades at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
Napoli striker Osimhen beat Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to the men’s award while Barcelona’s Oshoala picked up the women’s prize.
For the men’s award, it is the first time a Nigerian has been awarded the title since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Oshoala, meanwhile, retained the women’s accolade – the sixth time she has won it.
Osimhen enjoyed a hugely successful campaign with Napoli in 2022-23, helping them secure Serie A for the first time since 1990.
He scored 26 goals in 32 appearances last season, while the 24-year-old also netted five times in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches, helping Nigeria reach next year’s finals.
Having participated in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, Oshoala, 29, successfully defended the trophy she claimed in 2022.
She emerged victorious over strong competition, including Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa and Racing Louisville, as well as Barbra Banda from Zambia and Shanghai Shengli.
Last season, Oshoala scored 27 goals in 40 appearances for Barcelona.
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Analysing Victor Osimhen’s…
 awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco. Napoli striker Osimhen beat Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to the men’s award while Barcelona’s Oshoala picked up the women’s prize. For the men’s award, it is the first time a Nigerian has been awarded the title since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Oshoala, meanwhile, retained the women’s accolade – the sixth time she has won it. Osimhen enjoyed a hugely...){kind=link}