BY SAB OSUJI

Benedict 'Austria Bomber' Akwuegbu has heaped plaudits on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in the aftermath of Nigeria's incredible sweeping performance in the December 11 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morroco, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

During the annual event held in the North African country, Nigeria dwarfed all other African Nations to clinch the most coveted honours.

Remarkably, Nigeria's Victor Osimhen was crowned as the African Player of the Year 2023, dusting North African foes, Egypt's Mohammed Sallah and Morocco's Hakim Ashraf in the continent's most prized individual footballers award.

Osimhen thus, joins the likes of (late) Rashidi Yekini, Victor 'Prince of Morocco' Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke and Nwankwo Kanu as exceptional Nigerian players that have won the award.

That was not all, Super Falcons Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was voted as Africa's Best Woman Goalkeeper of the Year 2023 with Assisat Oshoala retaining her African (Woman) Player of the Year Award. 

Nigeria's senior Women's National Team, Super Falcons, were crowned Africa's Best Women National Team of the Year 2023, ensuring that Nigeria walked on the crest of glory at the awards night with four major awards.

Now, Akwuegbu who is rounding off his Mental Nurse Degree Program at Angelia Ruskin University, A.R.U, in the United Kingdon after an illustrious 18-Nigeria National Teams career (1988-2005) during which period he featured for the U17s Golden Eaglets, U20s Flying and Super Eagles, told Exclusivenews.com.ng that 'the CAF Awards in Morocco' was clearly the best of time for Nigeria football in recent times and that it's all credit to the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau's quality leadership of the NFF.

"Truth be told, Nigeria never had it so good before and it's all down to an effective and quality leadership of the present NFF under Ibrahim Musa Gusau", a one time Assistant General Manager of Heartland FC, Owerri, said to Exclusivenews.com.ng from his base in London on Wednesday.

"When leadership is sound, results manifest and that's what really played out during the awards night in Morocco.

"It's a moment of joy and pride for the nation to win all the major awards in African Football in one single night. Its something to be happy and proud of by every single night".

Akwuegbu paid tribute to Osimhen for his hard work and consistency since bursting unto the big stage of African and global football.

"Osimhen has completely shown that he's one destined for the skies", Akwuegbu said.

"From a modest beginning in 2015 as U17 FIFA World Cup player and winner in Chile after he was scouted and developed by Amuneke, Osimhen has never looked back.

"He's the goal machine of his Italy Serie A side, Napoli and now he's shown he still have more to offer with this African Player of the Year Award".

Akwuegbu received the Top Achivers Award from Alexandria University, UK, and last week received the Sports Legend Man Of The Year Award in, insists that Emmanuel Amuneke is the right man to succeed Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles Coach.

"We should be having coaches like Amuneke handling the Super Eagles maybe, after Jose Peseiro's tenure. There's no doubt he's technically sound, possesses the humility that brings out that father-son relationship which makes a team stay together.

"As a former African Player of the Year Award winner (in 1994), Amuneke was able to produce another African Player of the Year Award winner 29 years after as a coach. That underlines his quality, credentials and suitability for the Super Eagles job. For me, I think he's most suited for the big role in Super Eagles", Akwuegbu emphasised.