On Monday night, December 11, 2023, in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, Nigerians Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala took home the largest individual honors at the CAF Awards 2023.
Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who garnered attention in Italy for his play in the Super Eagles uniform, was named the CAF African Player of the Year for the first time, while Oshoala, his fellow countrywoman, won the record-tying sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year.
During his incredible journey, Osimhen had to overcome fierce opposition from Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah and Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi.
For a record-tying sixth time, Nigerian legend Oshoala won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. The attacker, who ended up being the team’s leading scorer with 27 goals in all competitions, continued to dominate as she led Barcelona to Champions League success.
Walid Regragui of Morocco won the Men’s category CAF’s Best Coach of the Year award, having led the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semifinal run in Qatar.
Desiree Ellis of South Africa won the women’s category Best Coach award for her exceptional efforts with Banyana Banyana. Ellis has won constantly in this category since 2018, and this was her record-breaking fourth prize in that area.
Percy Tau of Al Ahly and South Africa won the CAF InterClub Player of the Year award.
Lamine Camara, a 19-year-old forward for FC Metz in Senegal, won the CAF Young Player of the Year title, launching his ascent to prominence in African football.
The inaugural CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award went to Moroccan phenom Nesryne El Chad.
Following their success in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Morocco was named the Men’s National Team winner, and Nigeria was named the Women’s National Team of the Year winner.
The Male Club of the Year award went to Al Ahly of Egypt, while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the women’s division.
In the women’s category, South Africa topped the continent’s Best XI players, while two players from Morocco’s World Cup semifinal squad were in the men’s division.
A panel made up of members of the CAF Technical Committee, head coaches, national team captains, and media experts voted to determine the overall winners in each category.
Full List of Award Winners:
Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco
National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)
Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
