CAF hands Osimhen a boost in race for African Player of the Year

Osimhen had a successful season with Napoli

CAF hands Osimhen a boost in race for African Player of the Year

Joba Ogunwale 11:58 - 25.07.2023

Osimhen is the favourite to succeed Senegal and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane as Africa’s best player this year.

Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has been handed a huge boost in his quest to win the African Player of the Year after CAF announced the date, venue and criterion for selection. 

Osimhen is the favourite to win the award following an incredible season with Napoli and the Super Eagles of Nigeria. 

Osimhen's remarkable year

The 24-year-old was arguably Africa’s best player last season after leading Napoli to their first league title in 33 years. 

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Osimhen scored 26 league goals in 32 matches for the Neapolitans, including the strike that sealed the league title against Udinese. 

Osimhen led Napoli to their first league title in 33 years
Victor Osimhen of Napoli poses with his girlfriend Stefanie Kim Ladewig, and daughter Hailey True following Napoli's 2022-23 Scudetto triumph

The Super Eagles star also scored five goals in six Champions League matches. Not forgetting the seven goals and two assists he recorded in Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying campaign. 

Osimhen’s performances have put him in the pole position to win the African Player of the Year for 2023. 

Osimhen favourite for CAF award

The Nigerian striker has now been handed a boost after CAF announced that the period under review for the award is September 2022 to June 2023. 

Osimhen was brilliant during this period and will feel confident in his chances of becoming the first Nigerian to win the award since Kanu Nwankwo won it in 1999. 

Victor Osimhen is the favourite for the CAF player of the year award
Victor Osimhen in Nigeria's colours

This year’s award is scheduled to take place on December 11 in Morocco, although it remains to be seen if Rabat will be the host city again after it hosted last year’s ceremony.