Victor Osimhen Breaks 24-Year Jinx, Wins 2023 CAF Men’s ‘Player Of The Year.

Victor Osimhen Breaks 24-Year Jinx, Wins 2023 CAF Men’s ‘Player Of The Year.                               By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J.

In a historic moment, Victor Osimhen, the 24-year-old Napoli striker, shattered a 24-year jinx by winning the 2023 CAF Men’s 'Player of the Year.' The announcement took place at the gala held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday.

Osimhen secured the coveted individual prize for male African footballers by outshining tough competition from Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. This victory marked him as the first Nigerian to clinch the CAF Men’s 'Player of the Year' since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

The Napoli star had an exceptional 2023, starting with leading Napoli to its first Italian Serie A title in 30 years during the previous season. Osimhen's remarkable performance included scoring 25 league goals, making him the league’s top scorer and the first African footballer to achieve this feat.

His contributions extended to the AFCON 2024 qualification campaign, where he emerged as the top goalscorer with ten goals, playing a crucial role for Nigeria. Osimhen's achievements were acknowledged globally when he was named the eighth-best male footballer in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, finishing higher than any other African player.

Adding to his accolades, Osimhen recently received the Italian Footballers’ Association (IFA) Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 season, having been the highest goalscorer in the league with 25 goals.

This victory places Osimhen in the esteemed company of male Nigerian football legends such as Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, and Kanu, the latter winning the prize twice.

In a historic triumph for Nigeria, both the CAF women's and men's Player of the Year awards were claimed by Nigerians. 🇳🇬