Victor Osimhen, the talented Nigerian striker from SSC Napoli, secured the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year award at the 2023 ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco. This victory not only marks Osimhen’s ascendancy to the pinnacle of African football but also ends Nigeria’s 23-year drought in claiming this esteemed individual accolade.
Osimhen faced stiff competition from notable contenders such as Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. The 24-year-old, standing tall at 1.85m, proved to be a standout player, breaking records and leaving an indelible mark on the football landscape.
His stellar performance during the 2022/2023 football season with Napoli was a key factor in clinching the award. Osimhen’s remarkable goal-scoring prowess, registering 26 goals in the Serie A, not only secured Napoli’s third Scudetto but also made him the first African to win the league’s top scorer award.
Beyond his domestic success, Osimhen’s contributions led to his inclusion in the Serie A Team of the Year and his recognition as the league’s Best Striker for the 2022/2023 campaign. Furthermore, his outstanding form saw him break George Weah’s long-standing record as the highest-scoring African player in the Italian league.
Osimhen’s achievements extended to the international stage, where he emerged as the top scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with an impressive tally of 10 goals. Despite Nigeria’s absence from the 2022 World Cup, Osimhen’s individual brilliance continued to shine.
The icing on the cake for Osimhen came with his historic win of the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award, making him the first African to achieve this accolade.
In the broader context of the CAF Awards 2023, Osimhen’s triumph was part of a night of recognition for African football excellence. Other notable winners included Asisat Oshoala, who secured her sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year award, and various outstanding coaches and players across different categories.
With his exceptional achievements, Victor Osimhen has solidified his place as one of Africa’s best players and has brought immense pride to Nigeria. The CAF Men’s Player of the Year award is not just a personal victory for Osimhen but also a historic moment for Nigerian footbal
