Victor Osimhen crowned Africa Player of the year

Victor Osimhen has rounded off his incredible 2022/2023 campaign with one of the most prized individual trophies a player can receive. The Nigerian was named African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023 gala in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The former Lille striker edged out Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi, who were the other two finalists nominated for the award.

The Nigeria international was one of the key players for Luciano Spalletti’s side last season, leading his team to their first Serie A title since the last one they won in 1990, when Diego Maradona was still in the Italian side’s ranks.

Osimhen proved crucial to the Neapolitans, scoring 31 goals in all competitions, 26 of which came in the Italian domestic championship, in which he made 32 official appearances, averaging almost a goal per game.

In addition, the 24-year-old striker was also key in his team’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals, scoring five goals, four of which came in the knockout rounds, three to eliminate Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 16 and another to hold Milan to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

At international level, the Napoli striker was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 as group winners, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists in six qualifying games.

Indeed, Victor Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian to win the CAF’s Player of the Year award since former Arsenal winger Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.