‘Sources of pride’ — Tinubu celebrates Osimhen, Oshoala’s CAF award wins

President Bola Tinubu has praised the trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie over their triumphs at the 2023 CAF awards. 

On Monday, Victor Osimhen was crowned the 2023 CAF men’s ‘Player of the Year.’

The Napoli striker became the first Nigerian to win the prize since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

Also, Asisat Oshoala won a record-extending sixth CAF women’s Player of the Year, while Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the inaugural gong for the women’s goalkeeper of the year.

Reacting to the feats in a post on X account on Tuesday, Tinubu described the trio as “sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent”.

He added that their continental recognitions “strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.”

“I congratulate Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023,” the post reads.

“I commend the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.

“I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers. I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams.”

In addition, Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale made the CAF women’s best XI, while the Super Falcons of Nigeria won the women’s national team of the year.