Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, have hailed Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for emerging African Players of the Year, in the Men and Women categories and Nadozie Chiamaka, who won CAF 2023 Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
Atiku in a statement, Tuesday, said: “I am 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 and women categories, respectively.
“This is no mean feat and is unprecedented in the rich footballing history of our dear country.
“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.
“Congratulations, Victor Osimhen; congratulations, Asisat Oshoala, and congratulations to all Nigerians,” he added.
Obi, Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate the February 25, poll, on his part, said: “I like to join all other sports lovers in the country to sincerely congratulate the Nigeria duo of Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for emerging African Players of the Year, in the Men and Women categories respectively this year.
“While Osimhen has continued to trail the blaze in football even with his recent Italian Footballers’ Association, AIC, Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 Serie A Season, Oshoala has now made history as the first woman to win the award for a record six times.
“I also celebrate Nadozie Chiamaka, who won the 2023 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award and our Nigerian female football team, Super Falcons, who won the 2023 CAF award for the National Team of the Year.
“We are all proud of their awards, which bear witness to their innate talents, passions for growth, and determination for success.
“My sincere desire 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 so doing help to contribute to the development of our nation.
“These things are possible in the New Nigeria we are looking forward to,” he added.
Saraki on his part, said: “Last night, Nigeria recorded historic wins at the 2023 CAF Awards.
“From ‘The Phenomenon’, Victor Osimhen, ending Nigeria’s 24-year drought by bringing home the African Footballer of the Year Award; to our legend, ‘Agba Baller’, Asisat Oshoala, bringing home her sixth Women’s Player of the Year title; to Chiamaka Nnadozie, being recognised as the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year; to our Super Falcons, bringing home the National Team of the Year honours.
“Our young footballers made us all proud. Thank you for the honours that you have brought to our nation, well done, and keep striving for greatness,” he added.
