CAF Award: Oshoala is the only Nigerian as Mane favourite for men’s award

Super Falcons and Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala is the only Nigerian on the three-woman shortlist for the Female Player of the Year award.

The Super Falcons striker was spectacular last season, and CAF has recognized her performances.

Oshoala was brilliant for Barcelona last season helping her side to a flawless league triumph.

The former FC Robo stars player also clinched the Golden boot after registering 24 goals in the Liga Femini.

However, Oshoala was not the only brilliant Nigerian player in the last year. Ajibade was also brilliant for Atletico Madrid, scoring ten goals in 23 league appearances.

Nonetheless, Ajibade was snubbed even for the ten-woman shortlist.
In the final three-woman list released by the Confederation of African Football, Oshoala would contend with Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout Njoya and Zambia’s Grace Chanda.

Of the three, Asisat looks like the overwhelming favorite especially if club achievement is considered.

For the National team, Oshoala has not exactly covered herself in glory especially after she was ruled out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after an injury in Nigeria’s opening game.

 
Nonetheless, the Barcelona star would hope that she becomes the first player to win the award five times when the ceremony takes place on Thursday.
In the men category CAF has announced the three finalists.

One of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy will hear their name called at the gala scheduled for July 21 in the Moroccan city of Rabat.

The two strikers are the favourites to take the award, as Salah and Mane were key players for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Both men won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, while also finishing runners-up to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

They also finished runners-up in the Premier League, losing the title to Manchester City on the final day of the season.

Mane's bid is aided by the fact that he helped Senegal defeat Salah's Egypt in the 2022 Africa Cup of National final.

The Lions of Teranga came out on top in a penalty shootout, in which Mendy proved instrumental.

However, despite being the first-choice goalkeeper for Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, the 30-year-old didn't achieve as much club success as his rivals.

Chelsea lost the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals to Mane and Salah's Liverpool, while their Premier League challenge fell short after a strong start to the season.

Other awards
The CAF will also hand out awards for Goal of the Year, African team, National team, Coach, Young Player, Interclub Player and Player of the Year for both men and women.