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| Asisat Oshoala and Sadio Mane |
Super Falcons and Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala on Thursday beat Zambia’s Grace Chanda and Ajara Nchout Njoya of Cameroon to claim the CAF Women’s Player of The Year Award for a record fifth time, while Senegalese superstar Sadio (Senegal/Liverpool) retained his men’s title at the awards ceremony held in Rabat, Morocco.
The award ceremony took place in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday.
Oshoala is now the sole record holder for the most award
wins, thus stamping her authority on the continent.
The 27-year-old equalled countrywoman Perpetua Nkwocha’s
fourth CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award at the 2019 Awards Gala.
After receiving her record-breaking award, an elated Oshola
dedicated the award to her teammates.
“It’s a record-breaking night for me as an Individual and
for Africa as a whole. I’ve got five, FIVE!
“I want to thank everyone who helped me out in my career.
The 2021/122 season was really tough for me.
“This year made me realise if you don’t fall, you don’t know
the power of comeback. Special thanks to my teammates at FC Barcelona and the
national team, the best team in the world Super Falcons.
“Also, thanks to my (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, for
always helping us and making sure we can do our stuff on the pitch. I want to
dedicate this award to the Super Falcons team, who showed the world their hard work
even though they were two women down.”
The Falcons striker was the only Nigerian nominee at the
2022 CAF awards after Falcons’ coach Randy Waldrum, who was originally
nominated for Coach of The Year, was dropped from the final shortlist along
with Monday Gift, and Super Eagles duo Moses Simon and Akinkunmi Amoo.
Despite being injury-laden for a large part of last season
(three months), Oshoala finished top scorer in the Liga Iberdrola with 20 goals
in 19 appearances to become the first African to win the Pichichi award in
Spain.
Mane, who joined German giants this summer from Liverpool,
beat his former club teammate Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and compatriot Edouard
Mendy (Chelsea) to the men’s award.
Meanwhile, National Team of the Year for women will be
announced on 23 July 2022 during the final match of the Women’s AFCON.
List of winners at 2022 CAF Awards:
Player of the Year (Men)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal & Bayern Munich)
- Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Barcelona)
- Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal & Tottenham Hotspur)
- Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)
- Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
- Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
- Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)
- Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
- Senegal
- Pape Ousmane Sakho (Senegal & Simba)