Africa’s Best! Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer Of The Year
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year award went to Victor Osimhen, further establishing him as a top talent on the planet. Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Mohamed Salah of Egypt were his opponents, but Osimhen emerged victorious.
Monday’s accolade rounded off an outstanding year for the Super Eagles forward, who broke Nigeria’s 24-year-old wait for Africa’s top individual prize with his historic accomplishment in the royal Moroccan city of Marakesh. Until the legendary Kanu Nwankwo took home the trophy in 1999, no Nigerian had ever won it.
Osimhen is a vital player of both the national team and his club Napoli, and this award is a tribute to his achievements on all fronts. He was the first African to ever win the Pichichi (top scorer) trophy, and he was instrumental in leading the Italian team to an unparalleled Serie A title run with 26 goals.
He scored more goals than any other European player in the Italian Serie A, surpassing George Weah’s previous record. It was 33 years ago, during the reign of the great Diego Maradona, that Napoli last won the Scudetto.
The former Lille striker was named to the Serie A Team of the Year and won the award for Best Striker for the 2022–23 season due to his superb play.
The Serie A team’s historic performance in 2023 was mostly due to Osimhen, who was ranked in the Ballon d’Or competition. He became the most-ranked Nigerian in the award’s history and the highest-ranked African for the year when he finished ninth.
The first African to ever receive the AIC award, the Nigerian became the first player this month to be named player of the year by the Italian footballers’ association.
Despite Nigeria’s heartbreaking elimination from the 2022 World Cup at the hands of long-time rivals Ghana, Osimhen made tremendous strides for the Super Eagles that season. His ten goals put him in first place in the 2023 AFCON qualification race.
The Nigerian marksman had a really good year despite a hindered season due to injury. He has only played in 10 games for Walter Mazzari’s Napoli and scored six goals. Monday’s prize is the icing on the cake.