NIGERIAN Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has been crowned the 2022 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women Player of the Year.
The 27-year-old FC Barcelona striker was announced the winner of the award at a ceremony held in Rabat, Morrocco, on Thursday.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on Friday congratulated Oshoala for the award, which made it the fifth time she has emerged the best female footballer in Africa.
Oshoala was previously adjudged the best African female footballer in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated Oshoala in a statement signed by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Balogun Abdur-Rahman.
Dabiri-Erewa said the striker’s passion, resilience and doggedness contributed to her success and has brought glory to Nigeria and Africa.
“She (Dabiri-Erewa) encouraged her to continue to be resilient as the whole world is watching, while wishing her greater success in her future endeavours.
“She equally urged other youths to emulate the impactful life of Asisat on humanity as well as on the continent,” the statement said.
Oshoala was named Player of the Year, 2022, despite struggling with injuries during the season.
She had exited the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after suffering an injury in the opening game against South Africa.
It was expected that Oshoala will face stiff competition from Ajara Nchout Njoya of Cameroon and Grace Chanda of Zambia, but she emerged winner, becoming the first woman to win the award five times.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.