Emmanuel Osahon calls for more indigenous coaches support after CAF Awards feat

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of FC Robo Queens’ Emmanuel Osahon has congratulated 2023 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year winner, Asisat Oshoala and Nigeria winners at last week’s awards.

On Monday, December 11 – Nigeria dominated the CAF awards ceremony as the country scooped the Women’s National Team of the Year award and Asisat Oshoala bagged Women’s Player of the Year  for a record sixth time.

Osahon had tutored the likes of Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday and Chidinma Okeke to stardom and he has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to do more to support domestic coaches to produce more players like Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie from the domestic scene.

“We give God almighty the glory that Oshoala, Agba Baller is able to win the African Women Player of the Year award,” Osahon told Brila FM.

“Kudos to Oshoala, Victor Osimhen, Nnadozie, and the women’s national team. The NFF needs to encourage those individuals who brought up these players for continuity’s sake.

“Things had to be done for us to keep these girls off the street but we are not getting the support. There is something I want to point out.

“That South Africa woman who won the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year [Desire Ellis]. The package is from the Football Federation. Let us develop our indigenous coaches. They can win awards.”

Ellis have won four straight CAF Women’s coach of the Year awards since 2018 after finally winning the once elusive Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) last year in Morocco and guiding South Africa to the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.