Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has been named 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year, Completesports.com reports.
Osimhen, who finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, was announced the winner at the award ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday 11 December, 2023.
Victor Osimhen receiving his 2023 Player of the Year award from CAF president Patrice Motsepe
He becomes the first Nigeria men’s player to land the award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Also, he joins the late Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999) and Victor Ikpeba (1997) as the only Nigeria men’s players to be crowned African Best player.
Also Read: Osimhen Nominated For 2023 IFFHS Men’s World Best Player
In the women’s category, Super Falcons and Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala, won a record-extending CAF Player award.
Asisat Oshoala receives her record-extending sixth CAF women’s award
Oshoala finished ahead of South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Barbara Banda of Zambia.
Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award while the National Team of the Year for women went to Nigeria.
Chiamaka Nnadozie giving her speech after winning 2023 CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award
Other winners on the night saw Club of the Year for men going to Al Ahly, Club of the Year for Women was won by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Morocco’s Fatma Tagnaout, who plays for AS FAR, was named Women’s Interclub Player of the Year and the Interclub Player of the Year for men went to South Africa and Al Ahly’s Percy Tau.
Osimhen, CAF president Motsepe and Oshoala
For the men’s Young Player, the award went to Senegal’s Lamine Camara, Nesryne El Chad won maiden Women’s Young Player award, Atlas Lions of Morocco got the Men’s National Team of the Year award, Men’s Best Goalkeeper award was won by Yassine Bounou of Morocco, Wahid Regragui was named Men’s Coach of the Year, South Africa’s Desiree Ellis claimed the Women’s Coach award and Goal of the Year went to Mahmoud Kharaba of Al Ahly.
Meanwhile, Osimhen was the only Super Eagles player that made the Men’s Best 11 while the trio of Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale and Oshoala were included in the Women’s Best 11.
Full List of CAF Awards 2023 Winners:
Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco
National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)
Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Men’s Africa XI (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa):
Goalkeeper:
André Onana (Manchester United/Cameroon)
Defenders:
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain/
Morocco), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique Marseille/DR Congo), Kalidou Koulibaly
(Al-Hilal/Senegal)
Midfielders:
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli/
Cameroon), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United/Ghana), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United/Morocco). Thomas Partey (Arsenal/Ghana)
Forwards:
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt), Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr/Senegal), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Nigeria)
Women’s Africa XI: (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa):
Goalkeeper:
Andile Dlamini
(Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)
Defenders:
Bambani Mbane
(Mame Lodi Sundowns/South Africa),
Lebohang Ramalepe(FC Dinamo Minsk/
South Africa), Michelle Alozie
(Houston Dash/Nigeria), Osinachi Ohale
(Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas/Nigeria)
Midfielders:
Fatima Tagnaout (ASFAR/Morocco)
Linda Matlhalo (Glasgow City/South Africa)), Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo/South Africa),
Forwards:
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona/Nigeria),
Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli/ Zambia), Tabitha Chawinga (Jianghan University / Paris Saint-Germain/
Malawi)
36 Comments
Congratulations my brother
Better be, because this was his best chance of getting it. He and the napoli team are playing terrible. Hes not even scoring regularly.
Congratulations Victor. We are proud of you.
Congratulations our superstar! Keep working hard, Balloon d’Or in perspective!
Continue to make Nigeria and Africa proud!!!! Gbozaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Happy for the Victor
Happy for Victor
The story of a Dream Boy.. A true living legend.. Congrats My mega bro
Congratulations to Victor Osimhen ! I’m proud to be a Nigerian. Congratulations also to Falcons, Nnadozie and Oshaola for making us all proud. Nigeria is blessed.
Congrats Osimhen!!!
Finally.
Congratulations Osimhen.
Well deserved.
Congrats Nigerians.
For once Nigeria was not robbed like in the days of Okocha. God bless Patrice Motsepe for conducting a transparent Voting process unlike Hayatou and his manipulations.
For the first time we have a an unbiased Sheriff in CAF Congratulations VICTOR OSIMHEN. You did well gave glory to God and Amuneke.
I’m like wow. I was wrong about the CAF president. it seems he’ll be an unbiased umpire. Congratulations. It was the Nigeria night.
Good thing Osimhen acknowledged Amunike first, even though some fans underestimate his vision in spotting a real talent and nurturing him. It also suggest he’s the anointed NFF candidate after Paseiro as reported by both CSN and OGN.
Amunike though good at spotting raw talents is not the best coach for Eagles. Don’t know why most Nigerian junior coaches can’t just be satisfied in producing talented footballers for the senior national teams instead of vying for a post that far above their intelligence.
Amuneke is a good tactician and a great player.
FYI, Amuneke is the only Nigerian player to have.scored and won three major trophies for Nigeria viz 2 goals against Zambia AFCON 94, Winning goal against Argentina Olympics 1996 and 1995 goal against Uzbekistan to claim the AFRO ASIAN cup.for Nigeria.
AN incredible. And ANOINTED player. Needless to say he won U17 world cup.as.a.coaxh
Congratulations Victor & shola
from the dau you set that record of 10 goals in under17 wcup, i knew that records will be your limits, you are indeed a Mr Nigerian, the die hard spirit of our ancestors are within you. Congratulations my boy, Osilalala, Osimememeen, Osiwonder shall never end.
Osi moi moi, Osi brekete, Osi yakata!
First time a country is producing APOTY in the male and female category in the same year. Congrats to awon werey meji Victor and Asisat.
Congrats, congrats, congrats!
Congratulations to Nigeria and her representatives Victor Osimhen,Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Nnadozie. They are good representatives and stars. Next year shall be Victor Boniface, Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Nnadozie. Congratulations in advance
Now that the individual award has been bagged, the next challenge is to obtain the collective prize…..AFCON TROPHY.
In spite of NFF ONIGBESE nonsense, it can be done.
Our players should show the kind of hunger and desire Osimhen shows on the pitch.
Do it, not for your match bonuses, which NFF ONIGBESE won’t pay, but for the fans. Do it for the fans.
Congratulations Osimhen for wiping tears away from our eyes…..we have cried for 2decades for this and finally Osimhen has brought joy to the hearts of millions of Nigerians……Next is Balon d’or …….we move.
What a motivation for Nigeria going to the Afcon… As the best African football player, many defenders will be afraid of him come Afcon and I hope he delivers..
If Nigeria fails to do well in tbe Afcon the Coach should go.. you can’t have the Best player in Africa and not get to the final of the Afcon..
I can’t wait for the start of the Afcon.. oshimen would love to show his African fans what he is capable of.. congratulations victor for your victory!
Congratulations
Kudos Nigeria!
Congrats are in order Ke, Abi I lie?
Ire O Nigeria!
Congratulations to Nigeria, Nigerians, The Super Eagles of Nigeria, The Super Falcons of Nigeria:
Victor Osimhen – Osigoaal!
Asisat “Agba baller” Oshoala
Chiamaka (Correct Goalkeeper) Nnadozie
All the above have all won the best titles in their respective individual categories making this a fell swoop across the board and an unparalleled year for Nigerian football in terms of awards and recognition!
Now let us see what the notorious NFF in colabo with the Fed Govt will do to appreciate these accolades and galvanise themselves to step up – Enabling our Football and Sports sectors in general to move upwards and onward off the back of these momentous and ground breaking achievements!
What will they do? Will this spur them on to sit up and defend these sectors going forwards to make sure that they build from this impressive platform of Africa and Worldwide recognition or will they do as they always do and let it all decay and slip away, fading once again into a distant and dreamlike memory?? Or should that be Nightmarish memory??
What will they do? We can only speculate and hope at this stage…let’s all – Proud, hopeful Nigerians keep fingers, toes and everything else crossed that they do the right thing and put their collective best feet forward!
Please Nigerians pray! and Nigerian authorities and powers that be – do the right thing and if you haven’t got it in you to do so, then please reach out to those who can – We are many and ready to make Nigeria proud if given the opportunity – If those in possession of the various mantles currently have any interest in any of that – The options are clear..
In the meantime, Siddon look mode loading….Activated!
Ire o!
God bless Nigeria!
This night was largely the NIGERIA SHOW.
Best male and female player, and best female goalkeeper.
But if dey introduce category of best football federation peren!
Hehehe, no chance for NFF ONIGBESE.
Love the speeches by Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie. Oshoala said Africa should unite, so we can conquer the world. Well said.
Also like how Osimhen paid tribute to Amunike, Adebayor, Solomon Kalou and Didier Drogba. The cameraman “wickedly” focused on Samuel Etoo, who seemed a bit offended that his name was not mentioned. Hahahaha!
I’m sure there is no problem between Osimhen and Etoo. There is just not enough time to remember everybody!
Just as our players are showing excellence, we urge NFF to also show excellence. If they start doing that, we shall prosper.
Hahahahahaha. Etoo was soo expecting a mention, especially as he’s been seriously famzing Nigeria of recent. I felt bad for him. Osimhen missed the chance. Haba, you acknowledge Drogba, Kalou, and Adebayor and leave out Eto? Eto and Drogba were like Ronaldo and Messi in their days.
Nigeria is too blessed with talent abeg. Nah admisntrators and coaches we no sabi choose.
Looool!
“But if dey introduce category of best football federation peren!”
Funny but jokes aside – never a truer word spoken! Those guys are a disgrace!
Hopefully someday a Nigerian home-based footballer will win the African Player of the Year Award.
Congratulations!!!!!!! IJAYA OLUṢOSUN.
Congratulations. We pray no injury at afcon. Do very well at afcon. Do very well in the remaining of the season with Napoli especially in champions league. You can retain this award. You have got what it takes. You have been too scorer in two qualifiers already. You are a top player.
But watch out for Boniface. That boy is waiting to be APOTY too.
Congratulations OsimeheN
Congratulations Nigeria
Osimehen you have made us proud once again.
Congratulations also to Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie you have all made us proud!!!
Congratulations Africa for this great award night
God bless Nigeria!!!
I think this singular award from Osimhen compensates for missing out on Qatar 2022, who agrees with me here?!
Coming tops in a voting system that includes Arabs and francophone people, is NO MEAN FEAT! Osimhen’s hardwork did ALL THE TALKING for him, no magomago, no ojoro! Big ups once more to Patrice Motsepe for this transparency.
Let me not just say what’s on my mind about Issa Hayatou dat year, LOL
I felt the mistake of naming another goalkeeper in female first eleven in Africa should be corrected in indeed Ngosi is the best in Africa.
What a true leader Patrice Motsepe is. He proved his worth when it was really matter.
I hope NFF AJĘWOMASAN the debtor, can prove themselves like CAFE president did too.
Congratulations to Osimhen, Oshoala, and Nnadozie. I am proud of you all. Nigerians are proud of you all. Congratulations to you, Nigerians players and other African footballers at this year CAF awards ceremony. We are proud of you all.
I hope the awards that our players received would reflect on their improvements and their performance at the upcoming Afcon in Ivory Coast and in Morocco, respectively. Ire o. God bless Nigeria/Africa!!!
Congratulations to all the nominees and subsequent winners at the CAF awards, you all are indeed worthy winners.
And congrats to Nigeria, over two decades of AFÒTY drought didn’t really speak well of us. I hope this spurs other players to up their games.
At least everyone can now see what it takes to win such a high profile award.
Osimenegooooallls. This is what we want, what we pray for, and what God has given us and what you Osimenegooooallls has allowed through for God Almighty to be Glorified in you. Bless ya man Osimene and Congratulations while praying for more for you and every hard working and deserving SE Player.
Alexander The king IWOBI, you are next in line. You, Boniface, Orban and others have it in you as long as you continue to up the ante in constantly demanding more from yourselves . Your recent performances has been so so refreshing. I am truly proud of all of you. Big big big up to the King Osimenegooooallls.