‘Well-Deserved Honour,’ Tinubu Hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie On CAF Awards

President Bola Tinubu has hailed Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who received the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.

His spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, issued a statement in which the president expressed his pride in the trio.

At the ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, Osimhen was crowned African Footballer of the Year in the male category, while Oshoala bagged the title of African Player of the Year in the female category.

Nnadozie was awarded the African Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Super Falcons clinched the National Team of the Year award.

President Tinubu praised their achievements as “inspirational” and lauded them “for their remarkable performances on both national and international stages, for being sources of glory to the nation, and for being an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.”.

”Seeing the great representatives of Nigeria on top of the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has reinforced 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.

”I applaud Victor and Asisat for not forsaking their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for recognising the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.

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

Osimhen’s groundbreaking win made him the first Nigerian since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999 to win the coveted title, edging out competitors Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain.

Oshoala, who is currently playing for FC Barcelona, triumphed over strong competition from Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa and Barbra Banda of Zambia, securing her record-breaking sixth African Player of the Year award.