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By Emma Jemegah
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has unveiled a list of nominees for its Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023 without any Nigerian on the shortlist.
It’s a contrast that arguably Nigeria’s best women footballer and a nominee for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, Asisat Oshoala, who plays for Barcelona Feminine was not considered alongside Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC goalkeeper were not considered for mention.
Oshoala, a five-time African footballer of the year winner, who became the first African player to score at three Women’s World Cups and was also part of the Barcelona feminine side that clinched a treble of trophies including league title, Spanish Supercopa and the Champions League, was not listed in the final five-man shortlist.
Goalkeeper Nnadozie, who became the youngest-ever goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at a Women’s World Cup back in the 2019 and was perhaps of the best goalkeepers at the last Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with her confidence and authority on a level more commonly associated with seasoned professionals, is also an outsider in the list.
Rather, the BBC listed Spanish Aitana Bonmatí, Manchester United’s Mary Earps, Chelsea forward, Sam Kerr, Frauen-Bundesliga’s VfL Wolfsburg striker, Alexandra Popp and Swedish player, Fridolina Rolfö as the five listed players.
The winner of the ninth edition of this prestigious award will be announced on November 28.
