2023 CAF Awards: Oshoala, Nnadozie named in women’s final list

***As Moroccan, South African trio made the cut too

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

The Nigerian duo of FC Barcelona Feminine star,  Asisat Lamina Oshoala and Paris FC first-choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie have been listed among the final 10 nominees for the 2023 CAF Women’s ’s Player of the Year Award.

This is even as five other Nigerians nominated in the earlier 30-player list namely Christy Ucheibe of Benfica, Portugal; Osinachi Ohale of Pachuca, Mexico; Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, Spain Toni Payne of Sevilla, Spain and Uchenna Kanu of Racing Louisville, USA failed to make the final cut for the prestigious award.

CAF revealed the final shortlist for the categories of the Women’s Best Player Awards in a thread of posts on its X account on Monday.

Oshoala is the current holder of the top African prize after winning the 2022 edition of the award. The triumph was her fifth time winning the award — surpassing Perpetua Nkwocha, the former Falcons striker.

Nnadozie was also named among the finalists for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Randy Waldrum, Super Falcons head coach to the last FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand got the nod for Coach of the Year.

For the Best Young Player of thyear, the Nigerian duo of Deborah Abiodun of Pittsburgh Panthers, USA defender and Esther Ajakaye of Delta Queens were also named among the finalists for the award.

Also, the Super Falcons also made the shortlist of contenders for the women’s national team of the year.

But no Nigerian player was nominated for the Interclub Player of the Year (Women) and Club of the Year (Women).

Earlier this month, Victor Osimhen was named among the final ten candidates for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year nominees list.