By Peter Ejiofor
London, Dec. 13, 2023: The Nigerian community in South Africa has commended Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, for emerging as the best African Player of the Year, 2023.
They gave the commendation under the auspices of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), in a stamen on Wednesday.
At the CAF awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won the Best Women Footballer of the Year for a sixth time.
Nigeria’s women national football team, the Super Falcons, emerged as the best women national team, while Chiamaka Nnadozie, emerged as the Best Woman Goalkeeper in the continent.
Mrs Doris Ikeri-Solarin, the President-General of NUSA, said in Pretoria, South Africa, that the awards won by Nigeria was a result of hard work and dedication.
“We are happy with these awards and proud to be associated with our players and national teams. Nigerians in South Africa are celebrating these awards,’’ she said.
Ikeri-Solarin said the superlative performance of the Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they got to the round of 16 was still fresh in the memory of football fans.
“The Super Falcons made Africa proud at the World Cup. Our goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was outstanding, and the same with other players. We are not surprised that she and the team won the CAF award.
“Asisat Oshoala has been outstanding and consistent in her career. I appeal to other young girls to see her as a role model and develop their talents,’’ she added.
According to the NUSA president-general, Victor Osimhen at 24, has had a great career.
“We admonish him to keep the flag flying because more laurels will come his way.’’
She also commended the Nigeria Football Federation for being there for the national teams and players.
“We advise that you continue to put in place good policies and programmes that will make our football grow.
“NUSA is happy to associate with you, NFF, on this great and historic award. We are optimistic that more honours and awards will be won by our national teams and players,’’ she said.
