Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his position as one of the top players in the world.
The accolade on Monday finished off a stellar year for the Super Eagles striker, whose historic performance in the royal Moroccan city of Marakesh ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual honor. The legendary Kanu Nwankwo was the last Nigerian to receive the award, in 1999.
The award recognizes Osimhen’s achievements for both his Napoli club and the national squad, where he plays an important role. He led the Italian squad to an extraordinary Serie A triumph, scoring 26 goals and became the first African to win the Pichichi (top scorer) award. His goal beat George Weah’s record as the highest-scoring African player in the Italian top flight.
Napoli last won the Scudetto in 1983, under the legendary Diego Maradona. The former Lille striker’s outstanding showing in the 2022/23 season earned him a spot in the Serie A Team of the Year as well as the Best Striker award.
Osimhen’s inclusion in the 2023 Ballon d’Or was a testament to his efforts to the Serie A team’s historic performance. He finished eighth, becoming the highest-ranked African for the year and the highest-ranked Nigerian in the award’s history.
Earlier this month, the Nigerian was named Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year, becoming the first African to do so.
Though Nigeria narrowly missed out on a place in the 2022 World Cup, falling to perennial rivals Ghana, Osimhen’s services to the Super Eagles were enormous in the year under review. With ten goals, he led the qualification race for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Although injuries have limited his appearances for Napoli this season, with only six goals in ten games for Walter Mazzari’s side, Monday’s prize represents the pinnacle of a highly successful year for the Nigerian striker.