Osimhen Wins 2023 African Footballer of the Year at CAF Awards
At the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakesh, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen clinched the 2023 African Footballer of the Year title.
The Napoli player surpassed Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, marking the first time a Nigerian has won the award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Nigeria secured a double victory as Asisat Oshoala retained the women’s award, marking her sixth win.
The Barcelona star achieved this feat on a night that saw South African Desiree Ellis receive her fourth CAF Coach of the Year award for leading Banyana Banyana to their first World Cup.
The men’s award was presented to Morocco’s Walid Regragui, contributing to the Atlas Lions’ successful night as they were named the national men’s team of the year.
In addition, Nigeria’s Super Falcons claimed the women’s national team of the year title, and Paris FC’s Chiamaka Nnadozie received the women’s goalkeeper award.
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Napoli striker Osimhen, 24, was expected to receive the Caf award for the first time in his career after a stellar 2022-23 season. He scored 26 times in 32 appearances, including the decisive goal that sealed the Scudetto in May, securing Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years.
The former Wolfsburg and Lille striker also earned recognition as the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year earlier this month.
Osimhen, born in Lagos, scored five goals in four Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification matches, contributing to his country’s qualification for the finals.
He achieved a historic eighth-placed finish in the Ballon d’Or vote, becoming the first Nigerian to do so, and was honored as a Member of the Federal Republic in his homeland.
Barcelona star Oshoala created a memorable night for Nigeria by winning the Women’s Player of the Year title for a record-extending sixth time.
The 29-year-old, who participated in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, successfully defended the trophy she won last year.
She surpassed competition from South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Racing Louisville and Zambia’s Barbra Banda from Shanghai Sengli.
