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South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana bagged the 2018 African Women’s footballer of the year award, pipping former winner Asisat Oshoala and Falcons teammate Francisca Ordega to the award at last night’s CAF awards held in Senegal.
With many suggesting it was a setback for the former Liverpool and Arsenal Ladies football player who has won the award on three occasions, including last year, former Falcons coach and current general manager of Crown FC.
Rowlandson Odey has submitted that the Super Falcons star should not feel bad as she lost to a better player.
In a chat with www.brila.net, Odey added that Kgatlana deserved the award following her exploits at the AWC in Ghana where she helped her side beat Nigeria in their opening match as well as helping the Bayana Bayana all the way to the final.
“I don’t believe Oshoala should feel bad, she only lost to a better player. This is an African award, not Nigerian or Oshoala award.
“I believe Kgatlana deserves it because we all saw her exploits at the AWC where she played well, scored many goals and helped the Bayana Bayana to get to the
final”
“Sentiments aside, I believe those who are criticizing Oshoala are not true lovers of Women’s football” he concluded.