Nigerian football sensation Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year at the prestigious awards gala held in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The 24-year-old Napoli striker secured the coveted title by surpassing formidable contenders, Mohammed Salah of Egypt and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco.
Osimhen’s remarkable year commenced with leading Napoli to their first Italian Serie A title in 30 years, scoring an impressive 25 league goals and becoming the top scorer in the competition.
His goal-scoring prowess set a new record, making him the first African footballer to achieve such a feat in Serie A.
The Super Eagles striker played a crucial role in Nigeria’s AFCON 2024 qualification campaign, emerging as the top scorer with ten goals.
Osimhen’s outstanding performances didn’t go unnoticed globally, as he was ranked the eighth-best male footballer in the world at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in October 2023.
This achievement made him the first Nigerian to secure a top-ten spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Earlier this year, Osimhen was also honored with the Italian Footballers’ Association (IFA) Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 season, solidifying his status as a football icon.