Nigerian football sensation and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen clinched the prestigious CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, edging out rivals Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. Osimhen’s remarkable 25 goals propelled Napoli to their first Serie A championship in over three decades, also earning him the Best Striker in Serie A title, outshining Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Osimhen’s standout performances extended to the Champions League, contributing significantly to Napoli’s quarterfinal run. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess was crucial for the Super Eagles in securing a spot in the 2023 AFCON, topping the qualifiers as the leading scorer. Notably, he set a new record as the first African top scorer in Serie A, surpassing George Weah’s historic tally.
Osimhen’s accolades include being the first Nigerian since Kanu Nwankwo in 1999 to win the CAF award. His Ballon d’Or ranking as the 8th best male player in 2023 not only marked a significant milestone for Nigerian football but also established him as the highest-ranked African player in this year’s Ballon d’Or.
