Super Eagles and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has been pronounced the 2023 CAF footballer of the year.
The goal machine edged Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah – winner in 2017 and 2018 – and Morocco and PSG defender, Achraf Hakimi to the prestigious award.
Votes from head coaches/technical directors and captains of the senior national teams from CAF’s member associations saw Osimhen selected as the continent’s best footballer in 2023.
The Napoli’s no 9 collected the accolade at a ceremony in Egypt on Tuesday and was also named in the FIFPro Africa Best XI for 2019, alongside Salah and Joel Matip.
It was a successful calendar year for the 24-year-old as he ended the 2022-23 season by winning the scudetto with Napoli for the first time in 33 years.
Osimhen scored 26 goals in 32 appearances for the pertinoples, whilst also clinching the golden boot award for the same season.
Before Osimhen, the last Nigerian to win the awards was Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
Nigeria Players have won the prestigious awards five times, Rasheed Yekini became the first Nigerian to bag the award. Emmanuel Amuneke won it in 1994, whilst Victor Ikepba was crowned in 1997.
