Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the biggest individual awards at the CAF Awards 2023 in Morocco on Monday.
Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who made headlines in Italy and also for his contribution in the Super Eagles jersey, won the CAF African Men’s Player of the Year for the first time.
Come on Victor! That's Ma Boy! 🇳🇬#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/kaQBTccbpl
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
Osimhen’s remarkable journey saw him fend off stiff competition from Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah.
Nigerian icon Oshoala secured the CAF Women’s Player of the Year for a record sixth time.
The attacker’s dominance continued as she inspired Barcelona to Champions League glory, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 27 goals across all competitions.
𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞. 🌟#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/Eelau2THEY
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
For the coaches category, Morocco’s Walid Regragui was crowned CAF’s Best Men Coach of the Year – recognised for guiding the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final run in Qatar.
South Africa’s Desiree Ellis secured the Best Coach award in the women’s category for her outstanding work with Banyana Banyana.
This is Ellis’ record fourth award in the category, which she has won consistently since 2018.
In club football, Egyptian giants Al Ahly clinched the Male Club of the Year award, with the women’s award going to South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
Furthermore, South Africa and Al Ahly’s Percy Tau won the CAF InterClub Player of the Year and Fatima Tagnaout clinched the female award too.
For the young players, Senegal’s Lamine Camara, clinched the CAF Young Player of the Year award, marking his meteoric rise in African football.
Moroccan prodigy Nesryne El Chad won the inaugural CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Team awards
Morocco won the Men’s National Team award following their performance at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while Nigeria won the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
South Africa dominated the continent’s Best XI players in the Women Category while two members of Morocco’s World Cup semi-final team were included in the male version.
Just imagine this team 🤩
The CAF @FIFPRO Men's BEST XI is just 🤌#CAFAwards2023 | @FIFProAfrica pic.twitter.com/ZL9two84On
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
The ultimate winners in each category were decided through a voting process involving a panel comprising CAF Technical Committee, Head Coaches, National Team captains and media professionals.
Full List of Award 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)
