CAF Awards: President Tinubu pours accolades on Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie

By Saheed Afolabi

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the achievements of Nigeria trio that came tops in the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.

Coming off the back of exciting performance for club and country, Victor Osimhen won the Africa Best Player Of The Year award in style ending Nigeria’s 24 year wait, Asisat Oshoala beckoned on her impressive showings for Barcelona and the Falcons to win her record sixth Africa Best Women’s Player Of The Year and Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the goalkeeper of the year for her stunning saves.

Tinubu congratulated the triad of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their remarkable and laudable feat in bringing pride to Nigeria and inspiring the next generation of superstars in the country through a press release signed by the President.

He however believes the achievements made by the players will further strengthen the belief that Nigeria have what it takes to be great with hard work and perseverance.

“I congratulate Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023,” He said.

“I commend the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.

“Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.”

Asiwaju praised Oshoala and Osimhen for not forgetting their roots and their passage through indigenous coaches at the grassroots while shaping their careers.

“I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.

“I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams.”

Osimhen has joined other Nigeria legends of Rashidi Yekini, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo and Emmanuel Amunike in winning the prestigious CAF Africa Best Player Of The Year award.

Perpetual Nkwocha, Cynthia Uwak, Mercy Akide and Oshoala remains the only women in Nigeria to win the top CAF Africa Best Women’s Player Of The Year.