Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Award.
Osimhen had a stellar season for Napoli in the 2022/23 season as he won the Serie A Golden Boot scoring 26 goals and registering four assists in 32 games as he steered the Naples-based team to their third-ever league title.
Oshoala was one of Barcelona Femeni’s top scorers in the 2022/23 season as they won the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The 28-year-old striker scored 27 goals in 39 appearances for Barcelona last season.
This year’s edition of the award is a 30-man shortlist headlined by Argentine maestro Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe amongst others.
Oshoala’s Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati alongside Linda Caicedo, and Fridolina Rolfo amongst others were nominated for the accolade.
Osimhen has scored three goals in three Serie A matches this season and he is currently camped with the Super Eagles as they prepare for the AFCON qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday, September 10.
Oshoala scored once in four matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they were ousted at the round of 16 stage by finalists the Three Lionesses of England.
Nigeria is now the first African country to have men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or Award nominees in the same year.
