Napoli striker Victor Osimhen named 2023 African Footballer of the Year
In sports news football, Napoli and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Men’s Player of the Year.
Osimhen won the award after beating Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, as well as PSG and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, to win the award for the first time.
The Nigerian striker finished 8th in the Ballon d’Or rankings after guiding Napoli to the Serie A title. He netted 31 goals last season as Napoli lifted the title after 33 years.
Osimhen also netted five times in as many games for his national side in 2023, making it 20 goals from just 27 appearances for Nigeria.
Osimhen becomes first Nigerian to win African Footballer of the Year since 1999
Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi were the other two final nominees for the award. The last Nigerian to win this award was Nwankwo Kanu, who won the award in 1999.
“It is a dream come true. I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults,” Osimhen said.
Morocco won National Team of the Year in the men’s category after their incredible run to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Whereas their manager Walid Regragui won Coach of the Year.
Nigeria and Barcelona Femeni Asisat Oshoala was named the women’s African Footballer of the Year for a record sixth time, beating South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia’s Barbra Banda.
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