Drogba following Osimhen and Oshoala‘s feat at CAF’s 2023 Awards in Morocco, took to his X page to felicitate with Nigerians
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba has taken to social media to celebrate Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala on their triumph at the CAF Awards 2023.
On Monday evening in Morocco, Osimhen was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2023, while Oshoala claimed the Women’s version.
The feat means the Napoli striker broke a 24-year jinx to become the first Nigerian player to win the African Men’s Footballer of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999.
Osimhen saw off competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to clinch the prize.
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Speaking while receiving his award, the Edo State-born striker told the audience that he used to look up to Cote d’Ivoire legend, Didier Drogba while growing up.
“Drogba is my role model. I love you all,” the 24-year-old Nigerian international said.
Barcelona Femeni star, Oshoala on her part, won the prize for a record-extending sixth women’s award.
Prior to this, the former Super Falcons captain had won the CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Oshoala’s teammate, Chiamaka Nnadozie, won her first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria were also named the women’s best national team on the continent, while the Nigerian duo of Michelle Alozie and Tosin Demehin made the CAF women’s best XI.
Drogba after the announcements, took to his X page, formerly Twitter, to felicitate with the Osimhen, Oshola and Nigerians at large.
He tweeted: “Long live the new King and Queen of Africa @victorosimhen9 @asisat_oshoala @caf_onlineCongratulations my Nigerian People, we are waiting for you in January @afcon_2023.”