Nigerian players have been shortlisted for the final three of the Men and Women’s category of the 2023 CAF awards. The Super Falcons of Nigeria reached the last three Women National teams shortlisted for the best team of the year (Women).
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen will battle Liverpool swinger Mohamed Salah and PSG full back Achraf Hakimi for the best player award (men).
Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, in her quest for the 6th award as the best female footballer of the year, has tight contenders in Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville) and Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli).
Deborah Abiodiun, who plays for Pittsburgh, makes it to the last three for the Youngest African player of the year (women). She will contest against Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa) and Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille).
Super Falcons and Paris FC shot stopper, chiamaka Nnadozie is among the final three to compete for the Best goalkeeper of the year award. This won’t come easy as she will be battling Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco), and Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns) for the prestigious award.
Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association):
Player of the Year (Men)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women)
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)
Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli).
Interclub Player of the Year (Men)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo, Pyramids)
Peter Shalulile (Namibia, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year (Men)
Abdelhak Benchika (Algeria, Simba SC)
Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Coach of the Year (Women)
Reynald Pedros (Morocco)
Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)
Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)
Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt, Al Ahly)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Young Player of the Year (Men)
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco, Real Betis)
Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Amara Diouf (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women)
Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)
Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburgh Panthers)
National Team of the Year (Men)
Gambia
Morocco
Senegal.
National Team of the Year (Women)
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Club of the Year (Men)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club of the Year (Women)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Sporting Casablanca (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
The Awards Gala will take place on Monday, 11 December 2023, at the Palais des Congrès, Mövenpick, Marrakech, Morocco at 19H00 local time (18H00 GMT)
Winners of each category will be decided by votes from a panel consisting of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, captains, coaches, and captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.
