History In The Making – Nigeria Wins Men And Women Player of The Year

Nigeria and Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen has won the 2023 CAF Men player of the year award.

The prolific attacker beat Moroccan, Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward, Mohamed Salah to the gong.

The 24 year old ended Nigeria’s long wait of 24 years for Africa’s top individual prize. Legendary Kanu Nwankwo was the last Nigerian to win the award and that was in 1999.

Monday’s award capped off a sterling year for the Super Eagles forward. He spearheaded Napoli’s unprecedented Serie A title run, scoring 26 goals in the league to become the first African to win the Pichichi (top scorer) award. His contribution broke George Weah’s record as the highest-scoring player from the continent in the Italian top flight.

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Osinhem was also the highest goalscorer during qualifiers for the 2023 Nations Cup.

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.

Similarly, Asisat Oshoala won the women version of the award for a record extending sixth time.