Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, solidifying his place as one of the best players in the world.
This momentous occasion marks the end of Nigeria’s 24-year wait for the prestigious award, with legendary Kanu Nwankwo being the last Nigerian to claim it in 1999.
Osimhen’s exceptional performance for both his club Napoli and the Nigerian national team led to his well-deserved victory. He spearheaded Napoli’s historic Serie A title run, scoring 26 goals and becoming the first African to win the Pichichi award.
This feat also surpassed George Weah’s record for most goals scored by an African player in the Italian top flight.
Osimhen’s contributions extended to team awards as well, being named to the Serie A Team of the Year and securing the Best Striker prize for the 2022/23 season.
His exceptional performance even led to a ninth-place ranking in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, solidifying his position as the highest-ranked African player and the most-ranked Nigerian player in the award’s history.
Earlier this month, Osimhen further cemented his place in football history by becoming the first African to win the Italian Footballers’ Association player of the Year award.
While the Super Eagles’ absence from the 2022 World Cup was a disappointment, Osimhen’s contributions to the team during the year under review were undeniable. He emerged as the top scorer in the qualification race for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with an impressive 10 goals.
Despite injuries impacting his game for Napoli this season, Osimhen’s 2023 achievements culminated in his crowning as African Footballer of the Year.
