In a historic ceremony that cemented his place among the world’s greatest footballers, VICTOR Osimhen was named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
The Super Eagles forward’s incredible performance in the royal Moroccan city of Marakesh ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual honor, and Monday’s trophy was the pinnacle of his stellar year. The last Nigerian to get the honor was the renowned Kanu Nwankwo, and that was back in 1999.
The award is a testament to Osimhen’s achievements for both his important role on the national team and his club Napoli. He became the first African to win the Pichichi (top scorer) award, leading the Italian team to an unparalleled Serie A championship run with 26 goals in the league. In the Italian top division, his contribution surpassed George Weah’s record as the highest-scoring player from the continent.
Napoli last won the Scudetto 33 years ago during the legendary Diego Maradona’s era. For the 2022/23 campaign, the former Lille striker’s impeccable form saw him included in the Serie A Team of the Year as he also clinched the Best Striker prize.
Osimhen’s ranking in the 2023 Ballon d’Or was a testament to his contributions to the Serie A team’s epochal showing. He was ninth, becoming the highest-ranked African for the year and the most-ranked Nigerian in the history of the award.
Earlier in the month, the Nigerian was crowned as Italian footballers’ association player of the Year, the first African to win the AIC award.
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.
Although injuries have hampered his outing for Napoli this season – with just six goals in 10 games for Walter Mazzari’s men – Monday’s award is the crowning point of a hugely successful year for the Nigerian marksman
