Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala secured the 2023 African footballer of the year accolades at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
Napoli striker Osimhen beat Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to the men’s award while Barcelona’s Oshoala picked up the women’s prize.
For the men’s award, it is the first time a Nigerian has been awarded the title since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Oshoala, meanwhile, retained the women’s accolade – the sixth time she has won it.
Osimhen enjoyed a hugely successful campaign with Napoli in 2022-23, helping them secure Serie A for the first time since 1990.
He scored 26 goals in 32 appearances last season, while the 24-year-old also netted five times in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches, helping Nigeria reach next year’s finals.
Having participated in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, Oshoala, 29, successfully defended the trophy she claimed in 2022.
She emerged victorious over strong competition, including Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa and Racing Louisville, as well as Barbra Banda from Zambia and Shanghai Shengli.
Last season, Oshoala scored 27 goals in 40 appearances for Barcelona.
2023 CAF awards winners
Player of the year (men): Victor Osimhen (Napoli and Nigeria)
Player of the year (women): Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona and Nigeria)
Coach of the year (men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Coach of the year (women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
National team of the year (men): Morocco
National team of the year (women): Nigeria
Goalkeeper of the year (men): Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal and Morocco)
Goalkeeper of the year (women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC and Nigeria)
Young player of the year (women): Nesryne El Chad (Lille and Morocco)
Young player of the year (men): Lamine Camara (Metz and Senegal)
Club of the year (women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club of the year (men): Al Ahly (Egypt)
Interclub player of the year (women): Fatima Tagnaout (ASFAR and Morocco)
Interclub player of the year (men): Percy Tau (Al Ahly and South Africa)
