Osimhen, Oshoala Make Final Shortlist For 2023 CAF Awards

Osimhen and Oshoala made the final shortlist for the 2023 CAF Awards.

Glamtush reports that Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have made the final shortlist for the 2023 CAF Awards.

They have been named in the CAF Player of the Year final three-man list for the men and women categories, respectively.

Osimhen who finished as the top scorer in the 2023 African Cup Nations qualifiers will battle Egypt’s Mohammed Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez for the top gong.

The Nigerian was also instrumental in Napoli’s Scuddeto success last season winning the Golden Boot after scoring 26 goals.

Oshoala, the reigning African women’s player of the year has pitched with South Africa’s Thembi Klagtlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda for the top prize.

Oshoala scored 21 goals in just 28 games to lead FC Barcelona to the 2022/23 Spanish League title and was the Spanish club’s top scorer with 27 goals in all competitions. The 28-year-old was instrumental as Barcelona retained their domestic title and won the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand,  she made history as the first Nigerian and first female African player to score at three different editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Super Falcons Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC is also in contention for the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) and has to contend with Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns).

In the Young Player of the Year (Women), there is also another Nigerian –  Deborah Abiodun. The Pittsburgh Panthers midfielder  – despite playing one of the team’s four games at the World Cup – has been one of the breakout stars on the continent in the last year.  She featured for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The award ceremony will take place on December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.