Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has been named the African men’s best player of the year, 2023.
He defeated Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to the award.
Osimhen at Napoli led the Italian team to an 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.
Prior to last season, Napoli last won the Scudetto 33 years ago during the legendary Diego Maradona’s era. For the 2022/23 campaign, the former Lille striker’s impeccable form saw him included in the Serie A Team of the Year as he also clinched the Best Striker prize.
In the 2023 Ballon d’Or, Osimhen 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 Super Eagles star was crowned as Italian footballers’ association player of the Year, the first African to win the AIC award.
More to follow…
