By Zayd Ibn Isah
Three Nigerian footballers, Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Nnadozie Chiamaka, enjoyed a triumphant day at the just-concluded Confederation of African Football Awards in Marrakech, Morocco. Victor Osimhen secured the CAF African Footballer of the Year Award, while Asisat Oshoala clinched the African Women’s Footballer of the Year Award for a record sixth consecutive time. Nnadozie Chiamaka, shot stopper for the Super Falcons, was crowned the best Female Goalkeeper of the Year, marking three unprecedented awards for a country since CAF first presented an award to Ghanaʼs Abedi Pele in 1992.
Historically, two Nigerian players, Rashidi Yekini and Emmanuel Amuneke, went on to win this prestigious award given to Africaʼs most exceptional footballer in 1993 and 1994. The last Nigerian player to have won it before Victor Osimhen broke the jinx was Kanu Nwankwo, popularly known as Papilo, in 1999.
The award became monotonous, similar to Asisat Oshoala’s experience, as Super Eagles’ players dominated it year in and year out. However, after Kanu won it for the second time in 1999, it seemed as though there was an order from above to halt Nigerian players’ winning streak. Not even the cerebral Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, so good they named him twice, got to win the award until he retired from active football.
As the pursuit of the coveted award continued, the emergence of outstanding footballers like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and others made it even more difficult for Nigerian players to break through.
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The closest a Nigerian player came to winning the award was in 2013 when Mikel Obi was nominated after an incredible season with Chelsea and the Super Eagles. Till date, Mikel Obi seems pained that he couldn’t lay his hands on the coveted award, as the odds were in his favor until the final moments. He alleged in a recent YouTube interview with Dubai Eye 103.8 that he was robbed of the award. “I was robbed, mate,” Mikel said. “Before I went, I was told that I won it. I was at the airport flying to Nigeria because the ceremony was in Nigeria, and guess what happened? Manchester City was playing, and Yaya scored a hat-trick or two goals.”
But whether Mikel Obi was robbed or not, we are glad that the CAF Award has finally come back into the hands of our own, after 23 long years. Surely, even Obi would be happy to see one of his younger brothers crowned Africaʼs football king.
The announcement of Victor Osimhen winning this year’s African Player of the Year was akin to the proverbial long-sought treasure finally being uncovered. After a prolonged search, the day of its rediscovery would definitely precede a joy that knows no bounds. The entire country erupted in jubilation, much like the overwhelming elation that accompanies the discovery of a sought-after treasure.
Victor Osimhen had an amazing Serie A season with Napoli after helping the Italian side win their first Scudetto title in 33 years. He broke several records in their way to the title-winning season, including scoring 25 goals to emerge as the highest goalscorer. Asisat Oshoala, on the other hand, had an incredible season with the Barcelona women’s football team, likewise goalkeeper Nnadozie Chiamaka, who showcased her goalkeeping prowess for both club and country. What an incredible year these players have had! Also worthy of note is the fact that Osimhen’s African Footballer of the Year Award came shortly after he won the Italian Footballer of the Year Award and was ranked as the 8th best player in the world during the recent Ballon D’or ceremony.
In all of this, I’ve come to realize one thing about the Nigerian spirit: that we love to celebrate our own. It doesn’t matter the tribe or religion; if someone makes the country proud, especially on the international stage, Nigerians will roll out drums and celebrate as if there’s no tomorrow. Currently, Nigerians from all walks of life are celebrating the trio of Osimhen, Asisat, and Nnadozie, overlooking their region and religion. The only thing that matters is the color of the country’s flag they represent. This further reinforces my belief that, beyond the social media drama, what truly binds us together is stronger than what tears us apart. “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
Congratulations, Victor Osimhen: the boy from Olusosun Street is now the African Player of the Year. Just as he once said, dreams do come true, indeed. Congratulations to Asisat and Nnadozie for making the country proud as well.
Meanwhile, I am making a passionate appeal to CAF to rename the African Women’s Player of the Year Award after Asisat Oshoala. That seems to be the only way the continent can appreciate this rare gem for what she has done for African women’s football. Winning the award for a record six times consecutively is not a walk in the park. She deserves to be immortalized.
May the glory of Nigerian football keep growing. And may this herald a resurgence of African dominance at the global stage of the world’s greatest sport.
Zayd Ibn Isah can be reached at [email protected]
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