By Victor Kanayo
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the list of those nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2023.
CAF while disclosing this in a statement via its website said, “A distinguished panel made up of CAF Technical Experts, Legends, and selected media representatives decided on the nominees, taking into consideration their performances at all levels from December 2022 to November 2023.
“Just as in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the firstOshoala time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers. Ten players have been nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
“In the other categories, 30 players will vie for the prestigious Player of the Year, which Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala claimed for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.
“Ten nominees each have been penciled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year, limited to players not more than 21 years.
“The finalists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Cote d’Ivoire 2023 have each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.
“The winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved at the group stages of the Interclub competitions.
“The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on 11 December 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.”
Oshoala Again
Among those in the shortlist is Nigeria’s striker Asisat Oshoala who plays professional football with Barcelona in Spain.
Oshoala will be looking to win the award for a record-extending sixth time.
The FC Barcelona striker claimed the prestigious award in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
The 29-year-old is also the favourite to claim the award again following a stellar campaign which saw her win the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona.
Oshoala also had a decent outing for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where she scored once in four games.
More Super Falcons Nominees
There are six other Super Falcons teammates in the list.
They are Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Ucheibe, Uchenna Kanu, Ohale Osinachi and Toni Payne.
Moroccan Players
Nominees from Morocco in the CAF list include Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, Ghizlaine Chebbak, Ibtissam Jraidi, and Khadija Er-Rmichi.
Nominees From South Africa
Players from South Africa are Andile Dlamini, Hilda Magaia, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane and Thembi Kgatlana.
