Osimhen had a stellar 2022/23 season with Serie A side, Napoli, guiding them to their first title in 33 years
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen was on Monday night crowned the 2023 African Footballer of the Year at an event held at Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.
He saw off competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to win the prize.
The Napoli striker with the feat became the first Nigerian to win the prestigious award since Nwankwo Kanu claimed the honour twenty-four years ago.
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The 24-year-old forward had a stellar 2022/23 season with Italian club, Napoli guiding the Partenopei to their first title in 33 years.
He contributed 26 goals in 32 league appearances last season and netted five goals in six appearances for the Naples club in the UEFA Champions League.
Though Nigeria agonizingly missed out on the 2022 World Cup, losing the ticket to perennial rivals Ghana, Osimhen’s contributions to the Super Eagles were staggering in the year under review.
He was the top scorer in the qualification race for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with 10 goals.