The trio of Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Deborah Abiodun lead the Nigerian contingents for the final shortlist in the women’s category of the 2023 CAF Awards.
Oshoala, the five-time record winner, has been shortlisted alongside Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa for this year’s CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
The very best.
Player of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/mORASsoDFr
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
Oshoala, who became the first African footballer to score at three different Women’s World Cup tournaments following her exploits at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, is primed to win the award for a record-extending sixth time.
The 29-year-old enjoyed immense success last campaign, winning the treble with Barcelona Femeni, including the league and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.
Banda led Zambia to their first Women’s World Cup qualification; Kgatlana led the line for the Banyana Banyana at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where they claimed their first title; and she also scored twice at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
They always save the day.
Goalkeeper of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/PmXLDn1je7
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
In the goalkeeping category, Paris FC goalkeeper Nnadozie will have to battle Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South African WAFCON-winning shot-stopper Andile Dlamini for the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Nnadozie kept the most cleansheets of any African goalie at the Women’s World Cup, including saving a penalty in Nigeria’s opener against Canada. She has also exhibited impressive performances for her club side as she helped them to their first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage qualification.
Superstars in the making.
Young Player of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/1pKlXjh6ke
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
Super Falcons 20-year-old midfielder Abiodun has also been shortlisted alongside Ghana’s Comfort Yeboah and Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad for the Young Player of the Year award.
National Teams with years to remember.
National Team of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/XqNYv37bFZ
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
Nigeria could claim four awards on the day, as the women’s national team also made the final shortlist for the National Team of the Year award alongside Morocco and defending WAFCON champions South Africa.
