Oshoala Secures Player of the Year Title, Banda Misses Out Once More
Oshoala Secures Player of the Year Title, Banda Misses Out Once More
The captain of the Zambia Women’s National Team, Barbra Banda, missed out on the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, with Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala securing her record-extending sixth accolade.
Oshoala faced tough competition from Thembi Kgatlana, South African forward, and Zambia’s all-time top goalscorer, to successfully defend the title she won the previous year.
Despite Banda’s remarkable achievements, including scoring 15 goals in 15 games and netting the historic 1000th goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Oshoala’s stellar performance, particularly inspiring Barcelona to Champions League victory with 27 goals across all competitions, secured her the prestigious award.
In other categories, Nigerian Victor Osimhen received the CAF African Player of the Year for the first time, fending off competition from Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah. Morocco’s Walid Regragui and South Africa’s Desiree Ellis were named the Best Coaches in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
The CAF Awards also recognized outstanding players, coaches, and teams in various categories, showcasing the diversity and talent across African football. Notably, the winners were determined through a voting process involving the CAF Technical Committee, Head Coaches, National Team captains, and media professionals.
Here is the full list of award winners:
Men’s Categories:
Player of the Year: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Interclub Player of the Year: Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Coach of the Year: Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
National Team of the Year: Morocco
Club of the Year: Al Ahly (Egypt)
Women’s Categories:
Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Interclub Player of the Year: Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Coach of the Year: Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Young Player of the Year: Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Africa XI:
(Men’s) André Onana, Achraf Hakimi, Chancel Mbemba, Kalidou Koulibaly, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Victor Osimhen.
(Women’s) Andile Dlamini, Bambani Mbane, Lebohang Ramalepe, Michielle Aloize, Osinachi Ohale, Fatima Tagnaout, Linda Matlhalo, Refiloe Jane, Asisat Oshoala, Barbra Banda, Tabitha Chawinga.
