Alhaji Ten Ten
By Toby Chuks
Group known as Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) Grassroots Movement of Nigeria has joined other sports loving Nigerians to congratulate two Nigeria international football stars Victor Osihmen and Ashisat Oshoala for emerging the 2023 male and female Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballers of Year respectively
Osimhen who stars for FC Napoli of Italy and Super Eagles of Nigeria was announced as winner of CAF male Footballer of Year 2023 in Marakesh Morocco beating Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Mohamed Salah of Egpyt to second and third while Oshoala who Plays for FC Barcelona of Spain and Super Falcons of Nigeria was announced as the CAF Female Footballer of the year 2023.
Monday’s award capped off a sterling year for the Super Eagles forward whose historic feat in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh ended Nigeria’s 24-year-old wait for Africa’s top individual prize. Legendary Kanu Nwankwo was the last Nigerian to win the award and that was in 1999. On other hand Oshoala is clinching the CAF Female Footballer of Year Award for the 6th time having won it 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The OUK Grassroots Movement in a congratulatory message signed by its national leader Alhaji Muritala Mohamed alias ten ten described Osimhen and Oshoala’s feat as a good omen for Nigeria football as according to him such feat will always inspire other players to work hatd so as to join the league of names who made their country proud.
Alhaji ten ten said the OUK Grassroots Movement is proud to celebrate Osimhen and Oshoala because their feat is in tune with the interest of their Principal and former Governor of Abia State Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s who is one of the pillars of sports in Nigeria and a large hearted enthusiast of greater sports development in Nigeria.
He added “We the entire members of OUK Grassroots Movement of Nigeria are moved to celebrate the hero and heroine of our time Victor Osimhen and Oshoala because their feat as CAF Footballers of the year 2023 is in line with the desire of our Principal Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to move sports to the zenith in this country.
“You recall that Orji Uzor Kalu as Governor of Abia State led Enyimba to win CAF Champions League back to back in 2003 & 2004 respectively. That’s why he is among the pillars of sports in Nigeria. So on behalf of the OUK Grassroots Movement of Nigeria I say to Osimhen and Oshoala big congratulations.
