Oshoala, Nnadozie Make Final Shortlist for CAF Awards

Femi Solaja  

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the final shortlists for the women’s categories of the 2023 CAF Awards with Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie making the cut.

In the Player of the Year category, the Barcelona Femeni forward will battle with her France-based compatriot, Nnadozie as well as Zambia’s Barbara Babanda, and South Africa’s trio of Andile Dlamini, Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana for the individual accolade.

Others in the running for the top prize include; Cameroon and Inter Milan Ladies  star, Ajara Njoya and the Morocco trio of Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, and Ghizalaine Chebbak who plays professional football at AS FAR.

Unfortunately, industrious Uchenna Kanu – who is among the breakout 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 group. 

Although she is an outstanding favourite 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 Ajakaiye 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 handler 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 of interclub competitions.

The awards ceremony will hold on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Palais des Congress Movenpick, in Morocco.

Player of the Year (Women)

1.     Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon, Inter Milan)

2.     Anissa Lahmari (Morocco, Levante)

3.     Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

4.     Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)

5.     Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

6.     Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

7.     Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Sundowns)

8.     Hilda Magaia (South Africa, Sportstoto)

9.     Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, R’Louisville)

10. Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)