Napoli’s Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech at the CAF Awards on Tuesday, December 11, 2023. Expressing gratitude, he thanked both Nigerians and Africans for their unwavering support throughout his career journey.
“It is a dream come true,” the 24-year-old Osimhen said at the ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
“I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults.”
He extended his appreciation to Emmanuel Amunike, the former Nigerian manager and player, who not only discovered him but also praised other football legends like Emmanuel Adebayor and Salomon Kalou.
Osimhen also acknowledged his idol, Didier Drogba, expressing gratitude for their support throughout his career.
“Special thanks go to Mr Emmanuel Amunike. Without him, I don’t think I will be standing in front of you guys holding one of the most prestigious awards in football.”
“I thank Emmanuel Adebayor for his encouragement. Solomon Kalou I appreciate you and every African legend that inspired me. I can’t forget Didier Drogba, my role model.”
Osimhen emerged victorious over Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah to secure the most prestigious accolade of the night. This achievement marks him as the fifth Nigerian to claim the award and the first since 1999.
Renowned African football legends, including Togolese icon Emmanuel Adebayor, former Black Stars defender Antony Baffoe, and Ivorian star Salomon Kalou, made a stylish entrance for theCAF Legends games in anticipation of the 2023 CAF Awards.
Adebayor showcased his dancing prowess, treating onlookers to an Amapiano dance while grooving to the beats of Ampiano music. Amid the festive atmosphere, he expressed his support for Arsenal’s potential success in the English Premier League during a chat with Arsenal fan Kelechi FC.
Adebayor, who played for Arsenal from 2003 to 2006 before making a notable move to Manchester City, backed his former team to clinch the Premier League title.
The 2023 CAF Awards are scheduled for today, Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco.
The Legends games and the camaraderie among these football greats have added an extra layer of excitement to the highly anticipated event.
On a momentous occasion at theConfederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakesh, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria clinched the prestigious title of 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
The Napoli player’s triumph marked a historic milestone, being the first time a Nigerian has secured this honour since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Osimhen outshone formidable competitors, namely Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, to claim the coveted award.
Nigeria celebrated a double victory as Asisat Oshoala, the accomplished Barcelona star, retained the women’s award. This marked Oshoala’s sixth time securing this esteemed accolade.
The selection process involved a comprehensive voting system, with a panel comprising Caf’s technical committee, African media professionals, and the input of head coaches, captains, and clubs participating in the group stages of Caf’s continental competitions.
The awards not only reflect individual excellence but also serve as a testament to the footballing prowess emanating from the vibrant African football landscape.
Osimhen triumph
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, aged 24, has secured the highly coveted Caf award for the first time in his career, capping off a stellar 2022–23 season.
His exceptional performance included scoring 26 goals in 32 appearances, a feat highlighted by the decisive goal that clinched Napoli’s Scudetto in May, marking their first Serie A title in 33 years.
The former Wolfsburg and Lille striker’s outstanding contributions were further recognized when he was named the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year earlier this month.
Born in Lagos, Osimhen not only excelled on the domestic front but also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification, netting five goals in four matches.
His football prowess was globally acknowledged with an eighth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or, making him the first Nigerian to secure a top-10 position.
Additionally, Osimhen received the prestigious title of Member of the Federal Republic in his homeland, further solidifying his status as a football luminary.
Asisat became the first Nigerian footballer, male or female, to score in three World Cups
Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala, 29, made it a night to remember for Nigeria, winning the women’s player of the year title for a record-extending sixth time.
Oshoala – who went to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, retains the trophy she won last year.
She beat off competition from South Africa and Racing Louisville’s Thembi Kgatlana, Zambia and Shanghai Sengli’s Barbra Banda to lift the trophy.
World Cup recognition
In a splendid evening in Marrakesh, South Africa’s Desiree Ellis claimed her fourth CAF Coach of the Year award, a recognition earned by steering Banyana Banyana to their inaugural World Cup appearance.
The men’s accolade was bestowed upon Morocco’s Walid Regragui, highlighting a triumphant night for the Atlas Lions, named the National Men’s Team of the Year.
Morocco’s historic performance in Qatar 2022, where they reached the World Cup semi-finals as the first African team to do so, contributed to Yassine Bounou being honoured as the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured the Women’s National Team of the Year title, accompanied by Paris FC star Chiamaka Nnadozie, who claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper Award.
Mamelodi Sundowns, representing South Africa, received the Women’s Club of the Year award for their triumph in the African Women’s Champions League for the second time.
Meanwhile, Egyptian giants Al Ahly, securing their 11th Champions League title in 2023, were recognised as the Men’s Club of the Year.
In a prestigious moment, Caf unveiled the players voted into the Men’s and Women’s Best XI line-ups by Africa’s football stars. The glittering night in Marrakesh also featured the presentation of the inaugural Special Achievement Award to Senegal President Macky Sall.
On December 11, 2023, in Marrakesh, Morocco, the 2023 CAF prize ceremony took place. Nigerian football fans celebrated that evening as their nation dominated the prizes.
The continental football governing body recently unveiled the shortlists for the upcoming awards ceremony scheduled to be held in Morocco next month.
Notably, among the nominees are Black Stars deputy captain Thomas Partey, midfielder Mohammed Kudus, and Black Queens’ Evelyn Badu, all contending for prestigious awards.
The Black Stars duo is vying for the Men’s Player of the Year award, while Evelyn Badu is in the running for the Women’s Player of the Year category.
“I am truly proud of them and want to send them a big, big congratulations on their nominations.” He emphasised that all the nominees are winners and encouraged them to keep their heads up for a bigger and brighter future.
‘’I am truly proud of them and want to send them a big, big congratulations on their nominations. They are all winners and should keep their heads up for a bigger and brighter future,’’ he told Ghanafa.org
Ghana Women’s Premier League Champions, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, have received five nominations for the 2023 CAF Awards.
Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa has been nominated in the Coach of the Year category, while full-back Comfort Yeboah is contending for the young player and CAF Interclub Player of the Year categories.
Tracy Twum and Mary Amponsah are competing in the InterClub Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year categories.
Former Hasaacas Ladies and Black Queens midfielder Evelyn Badu has also been nominated for the Women Player of the Year award after winning the CAF Interclub and Young Player of the Year awards in 2022.
Additionally, midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus are nominated for the Player of the Year award, and winger Ernest Nuamah Gunning is in the running for the Young Player of the Year award in the male category.
Lastly, Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, has been nominated for the national team of the year following their strong performance in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.
The 2023 CAF Awards Gala is set to take place on Monday, December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disclosed that Morocco will host the 2023 CAF Awards.
This marks the second consecutive time that the North African nation will hold African football’s esteemed awards ceremony.
CAF made the announcement through a statement on their website, confirming that the event is scheduled to take place on December 11.
“The prestigious CAF Awards will make a welcome return on 11 December 2023 in Morocco to celebrate the stars of African football.
“After last year’s successful event hosted in the Moroccan capital of Rabat which saw Senegal inspirational forward Sadio Mane and Nigeria and Barcelona top striker Asisat Oshoala claim honours, the CAF Awards will feature some of Africa’s finest stars.”
The release further noted that the city and time for the event will be announced at the appropriate time.
“CAF will communicate time and host city in due course.”
CAF also confirmed that the period under review for the award is from September 2022 to June 2023.
“The period under review for the CAF Awards 2023 spans from September 2022 until June 2023, encompassing an extraordinary chapter in African football history.”
The 2022 edition saw Senegal and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane claim the best Men’s Player of The Year whereas Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of The Year.
