Nigeria’s football icon, Mercy Akide, who made history by becoming the first woman to win the Africa Player of the Year award in 1999, has expressed her joy and blessings as the country’s national teams dominated the 2023 CAF Football Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.
Recalling her own achievement 24 years ago, Akide spoke about the significance of her win alongside Nwankwo Kanu, another football legend, and how it marked a crucial moment for women’s football recognition in Africa. The former striker for the Super Falcons expressed her optimism that the recent success at the CAF Awards would serve as motivation for the national teams.
Feeling blessed to have paved the way for women’s football, Akide acknowledged the importance of recognition for female athletes. The awards in 2023 saw Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala crowned as the Player of the Year (Men) and Player of the Year (Women), respectively.
Expressing her excitement, Akide noted that the long wait for another Nigerian male player to win the award added to the significance of the recent triumphs. She emphasized that football is unpredictable, and despite the gap, the recent success shows the resilience and talent within Nigerian football.
Looking forward, Akide expressed pride in all the winners and hoped that the 2023 CAF Awards would mark the beginning of more success for Nigerian football. She envisioned victories extending from the upcoming AFCON in January to further successes for the women’s team and even the FIFA World Cup.
As Nigeria celebrates the achievements at the 2023 CAF Awards, the optimism and hope expressed by Akide resonate across the football community, reflecting the continuous growth and recognition of the country’s footballing talent on the continent and beyond.
