By MICHAEL MIYOBA
COPPER Queens captain Barbra Banda says she has been motivated to continue working hard after ending the year among the top three best female footballers in Africa.
Banda missed out on the 2023 CAF Women’s African Player of the Year Award which was scooped by Nigerian women’s football star Asisat Oshoala.
Oshoala has been named CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year for a record sixth time after inspiring Barcelona to Champions League glory.
The 29-year-old striker beat Banda and South African Thembi Kgatlana to retain her crown at Monday’s awards gala in Marrakech, Morocco.
Oshoala was Barcelona’s top scorer last term, scoring 27 goals across all competitions as the Spanish giants clinched a domestic double.
Meanwhile, despite having lost the award, the Copper Queens star made the cut for the CAF FIFPRO team of the year which excluded Kgatlana who was listed among the top three.
“I’m happy to have made it to the CAF FIFPRO team of the year, a great honour,” Banda said.
“Congratulations to the amazing Asisat Oshoala for winning the player of the year, happy to have made the top three and motivation for me to keep working hard and pushing myself. Congratulations to all the winners in all the categories and hard luck to everyone who did not win, you making it to the last three is a win in itself,” Banda said.
Banda joined, Asisat and Malawian international Tabitha Chawinga as the main strikers in the FIFPRO best 11 which was dominated by South African stars.
Goal keeper Andile Dlamini from South South Africa was named best shot stopper while Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie, Bambani Bibane from South Africa, Osinachi Ohale from Nigeria and Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa) were named best defenders.
The South African midfield duo of Linda Motlhalo and Refiloe Jane were joined by, Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco) in the team of the year while Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was named coach of the year in the women’s category.
2023 CAF AWARDS WINNERS:-
Club of the Year (Women):
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club of the Year (Men):
Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women):
Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco/AS FAR)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men):
Percy Tau (South Africa/Al Ahly SC)
Young Player of the Year (Women):
Nesryne El Chad (Morocco/Lille)
Young Player of the Year (Men):
Lamine Camara (Senegal)
National Team of the Year (Women):
Nigeria
National Team of the Year (Men):
Morocco
Goal of the Year:
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim (Al Ahly SC)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men):
Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women):
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Coach of the Year (Women):
Desiree Ellis (South Africa national team)
Coach of the Year (Men):
Walid Regragui (Morocco national team)
Outstanding Achievement of the Year Awards:
-President Macky Sall (Senegalese President)
-President Alhassane Ouattara (Ivorian President)
Women’s Player of the Year:
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria/Barcelona)
Men’s Player of the Year:
Victor James Osimhen (Nigeria/Napoli).
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