Leading opposition figures, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have congratulated the trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie on winning the CAF Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year respectively.
The Herald had reported that the Nigerian stars clinched the accolades at the CAF Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday.
In separate statements, Atiku and Obi saluted the stars for making Nigeria proud.
Atiku 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.”
Obi said, “I like to join all other sports lovers in the country to sincerely congratulate the Nigeria duo of @victorosimhen9 and @AsisatOshoala 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 @Nadoziechiamaka 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 fulfill 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.”