President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, and others on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award.
By Ademu Usman Idakwo
The President also celebrated the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who won the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year for the sixth time, and 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.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President commended the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, describing them as 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,” the President says.
He joined compatriots and football fans across Nigeria to celebrate the incredible feats of our star players Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala as they were named African Players of the Year in the male and female categories respectively at the #CAFAwards2023.
President Tinubu equally expressed that it is the first time after 24 years, that Nigerians are returning simultaneously as best players in both categories, adding that it is a proud moment for the nation.
As congratulatory messages continue to pour in from well-meaning Nigerians on the CAF awards for the Nigeria football players, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrahman has also sent a congratulatory message to Nnadozie Chiamaka for emerging Goalkeeper of the Year (female category) and to the Super Falcons on the award of National Team of the Year.”
The Governor said he was indeed excited about the great achievements that have once again put Nigeria on the continental map of football.
The governor pledged that the Nigerian government will continue to support many talents to secure more wins.
Similarly, the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said he was both excited and delighted at the news that Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have won the prestigious CAF Player of The Year in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
The Former Vice President who said awards are no mean feat, added that it was unprecedented in the rich footballing history of his dear country. He said Osimhen bringing the title to Nigeria after 24 years is no mean feat, as is Asisat Oshoala’s winning the same title for the sixth time.
“The greatness of this generation of Nigerians, irrespective of the leadership challenges of the country, is indeed a beacon of hope to all patriots.”; he stated.
In the same vain, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, extended his congratulations to Nigerian football stars Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for clinching the titles of CAF’s Men and Women Footballer of the Year, respectively.
Mr Obi stated, “We are all proud of their awards, which bear witness to their innate talents, passions for growth, and determination for success. My sincere prayer is that every Nigerian youth will have the needed enablement to explore and develop their talents, and skills and live to fulfil their dreams, and by doing so help to contribute to the development of our nation. These things are possible in the New Nigeria we are looking forward to.”
