CAF Awards: Oshoala battles Kgatlana & Banda for record six Player of the Year prize

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward, Asisat Oshoala made the shortlist of the final three players nominated for the 2023 CAF Women’s Players of the Year award.

The five-time winner is in pole position to claim her sixth and record-extending crown.

The Barcelona superstar finished 20th on the 2023 Ballon d’Or ranking and is the only woman footballer on the list.

Oshoala previously won the prize in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022, one more than compatriot, Perpetua Nkwocha.

The Super Falcons forward will contest for the award with former winner Thembi Kgathlana of South Africa.

Kgathlana won the prize in 2018 after helping her team reach the final of the year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Zambian captain, Barbara Banda completed the top three players in the race for the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The three shortlisted players led their teams to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and all scored in the group stage.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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