2023 CAF Awards: Osimhen, Oshoala’s shine herald new dawn for Nigerian football- Stakeholders
Football stakeholders and enthusiasts in Gombe State have expressed excitement over Nigeria’s players scooping of awards at the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony held in Morocco on Monday night.
While expressing their excitements in separate interviews with our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday, they described the awards as a turning point for Nigeria’s football.
Mr Yakubu Sarma, Chairman, Gombe State Football Association (FA) said the awards was a representation of efforts being put in by players and all stakeholders towards the development of football in the country.
Sarma said the feat was a reward for the silent efforts by all stakeholders and also showed that Nigeria football development was on the right path.
“The award is an indication that we are getting somewhere which is in line with the NFF president Ibrahim Gusau’s vision to bring back the glory days for football.
“Osimhen’s award is not surprising because the young man had put him tremendous effort which we all are witnesses to so I commend him and others who got the awards,” he said.
For Mohammed Halilu, the Gombe State chapter chairman of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) the awards had given hope for football development and showed Nigeria’s huge potential in sports generally.
Halilu said it was a moment for Nigeria to celebrate having created history for being the first country to win both the men’s and women’s award for the same year.
“We have never had it so good, it is our turn to shine and celebrate the Nigerian spirit of excellence and hard work,” he said.
For Mark Malele, the Media Officer of NPFL side Doma United, said the awards were credible and represented the fact as all winners in this year’s CAF Award were worthy winners.
Malele said the clean sweep by Nigerian players was a good omen for the country and a sign of what was to come in the near future.
He described Victor Osimhen as a catalyst and driving force for Napoli’s great run to the Italian League title.
Osimhen’s scoring of 26 goals in over 30 appearances was an incredible achievement which contributed to Napoli winning the Italian League title last season, he said.
“For Asisat Oshoala, it’s no more surprising because no female player has come close to where she’s right now; She showed what she is capable of doing in the Women’s World Cup this year.
“Chiamaka Nnadozie has become so good that she monopolised the Falcons goalkeeping position.
“She deserves it after her performance at the World Cup,” he said.
Shuaibu Muhammad, the Media Officer of Gombe United said Osimhen’s award had become an inspiration for young footballers that they could rise to the pinnacle of their career if they put in hard work.
Muhammad said last nights’ awards was a moment of history for Nigeria and a long awaited one for celebration.
“It really felt so good for Nigeria and this happiness came after 24 years since Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999.”
Williams Attah, a sports writer in Gombe State said the awards were well celebrated by football lovers in the state, “the reaction on social media and from those I have met since last night is awesome.”
Attah said Nigerians had waited so long to celebrate these awards especially for the men’s player of the year award, describing the award as “very cheering and heart-warming feat for all lovers of football in the country.
Barbuwa Kalla, a football enthusiast based in Gombe described Osimhen’s award as a good motivation to young aspiring footballers across the country.
“Imagine Osimhen from being a sachet water hawker to a Napoli super star and now CAF Award winner; what a story for those who are in the streets hoping for greatness someday,” Kalla said.
Our correspondent reports that in a historic sweep at the 2023 CAF Awards Nigeria players Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the prestigious titles of Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively.
This is the first time for a country to achieve that feat in the history of African football awards.
Super Falcons shot stopper, Nnadozie won the best goalkeeper while the team won best female team of the year.