THE Nigeria Football Federation and former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Sunday Oliseh, have congratulated Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala on their nominations for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Super Eagles striker Osimhen, who scored 26 Serie A goals to steer Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years last season, was nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or along with 29 other outstanding players. It is his first nomination for the prestigious award.
He is also the leading scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with seven goals.
Super Falcons and Barcelona forward Oshoala is in the women’s Ballon d’Or nomination list of 30 and is the only African player considered for the honour.
Together, Osimhen and Oshoala have become the first-ever players from an African country to be nominated for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or in the same year.
“We are indeed very proud of the nominations of our players Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for the Ballon d’Or. It is the first time that players from the same African country are nominated for both male and female categories, and this makes us proud,” General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi said on behalf of the NFF today.
“It also underscores the stellar careers that both players have at the moment, and we pray that God will continue to take them from glory to glory.
“These nominations will also, no doubt, encourage other Nigerian players everywhere to be pivotal for their clubs and also for the national team anytime they are on the international road.”
Oliseh, who was a member of the golden generation of Super Eagles stars that won the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 and Olympic Games gold in 1996, praised Osimhen and Oshoala for their excellence.
“These two players are great examples to our youths. God bless them!” he wrote on X tonight.
Comments are closed.