Osimhen is in contention for the Men’s Player of the Year award alongside Morocco’s Hakimi and Egypt’s Salah
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian duo Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala are looking to claim the ultimate prize in the men’s and women’s categories at the CAF Awards 2023, which will take place at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday (today).
Osimhen is in contention for the Men’s Player of the Year and will be up against Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah.
The Napoli will become the first Nigerian to win the prestigious award since Nwankwo Kanu claimed the honour twenty-four years ago.
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.
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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.
On the international scene, Osimhen scored 10 goals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
Oshoala on the other hand, will become the first woman to win the award for a record-extending sixth time if she wins this year’s edition.
The Barcelona Femeni’s star claimed a record fifth crown a year ago in Rabat, Morocco.
Osimhen and Oshoala will become the first male and female players from the same country to win the ultimate prize in the men’s and women’s categories of the same edition of CAF Awards if they win on Monday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun is in contention for the Young Player of the Year, while Chiamaka Nnadozie, is among the final nominees for the newly introduced Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Super Falcons are also in contention for the National Team of the Year award.