Oshoala And Nnadozie Makes Final Shortlist For CAF Awards
The Continental football ruling body CAF has announced the final shortlist of players up for recognition at the CAF Women Awards, with Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie making the cut.
In the Player of the Year category, the Barcelona striker will battle with France-based, Zambia’s Barbara Babanda, and South Africa’s trio of Andile Dlamini, and Hilda Magaia as well as Thembi Kgatlana for the individual accolade.
Others are Cameroon and Inter Milan star Ajara Njoya and the Morocco trio of Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, and Ghizalaine Chebbak who plays professional football at AS FAR.
⭐️ AFRICA’S STARS ⭐️
Check out the Player of the Year (Women) shortlist 👇#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/SELITMIs1S
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 27, 2023
Unfortunately, pacy winger Uchenna Kanu, who shone like a million stars in the year under review will have to wait till another time to fancy her chances of getting decorated as Africa’s best player.
It was a double delight for goalkeeper Nnadozie who headlines the Goalkeeper of the Year category. Although she is an outstanding favourites to win, she must negotiate her way past the Morocco duo of Imane Abdelahad and Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini plus Kaylin Swart.
Nigeria has two stars in the Young Player of the Year category namely, Esther Ajakaye and Deborah Abiodun. Nonetheless, they face a stiff challenge in Ghana’s Comfort Yeboah, Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad, and South Africa’s Thubelihle Shamase.
Super Falcons coach to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Randy Waldrum will challenge Mehdi El Qaichouri (SC Casablanca), Reynald Pedros (Morocco), Desiree Ellis (South Africa), and Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns) for the Coach of the Year accolade.
Elsewhere, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia will slug it out for the National Team of the Year award.
According to CAF, the winners of each category will be determined after the votes of a panel composed of the CAF Technical Commission, media professionals from Member Associations, head coaches, and captains of Member Associations including clubs involved in the group stages interclub competitions.
The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Palais des Congres Movenpick, in Morocco.
