By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has hailed the duo of Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for being nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards.
On Wednesday, nominees for the men and women categories of this year’s Ballon d’Or was unveiled by the organisers.
Osimhen, who is the first Nigerian male footballer to be shortlisted since 1999, will battle it out with Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski and 24 others.
Oshoala, a nominee in the 2022, will hope to beat 29 other shortlisted players to the award.
Reacting to the nominations in a statement issued on his official Facebook page Thursday night, Shaibu said, “It gladdens my heart to see that for the first time since 1999, Nigeria has a male player shortlisted for the famous and much coveted Ballon d’Or Award.
“Victor James Osimhen’s nomination is a testament to how terrific he was under the year in review – his huge and apparent contribution to the success of Napoli’s Scuddeto victory since 1990 is historical and his nomination is just a very fitting recognition by the awarding body. This also is a thing of pride for the good people of Edo state.
“For Asisat Oshoala (Agba Baller), I’m happy that her efforts for Barcelona Feminine in winning the tremble with Barcelona (Primera Division title, the Supercopa de Espana Femenina, and the Champions League), scoring 21 league goals and becoming joint ‘League’s Highest Goals Scorer’ in the process as well as her performance at the FIFA women’s World Cup helping us beat Australia against all odds didn’t go unnoticed by experts who have nominated her as the first African Women Footballer for the award.
“This is a great plus to our football in Nigeria and a reminder to the world that Nigeria remains a great footballing nation.
“I want to thank these “wonderful players once again for putting our name back in the comity of footballing nations.
“This, I believe will serve as motivation to other young players out there that they can get to the level they desire as much as they remain consistent and determined to push their goal, regardless of whatever obstacles they may encounter along the journey to attain their goal.”
Last season Osimhen helped Napoli land a first league title since 1990 and also finished top scorer with 26 goals.
On her part, Oshoala played a key role as Barcelona won both the Spanish league and the UEFA women’s Champions League last campaign.
The winners of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award for both men and women will be known at a ceremony in Paris, France on Monday, October 30.
