In a significant event, Victor Osimhen achieved the prestigious title of the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, which further established his position among the world's top players.
Facing tough competition from Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, Osimhen emerged victorious.
The Monday accolade marked the culmination of an exceptional year for the Super Eagles forward. His historic achievement in the imperial Moroccan city of Marrakesh ended Nigeria's 24-year-long quest for Africa's premier individual football honor. The last Nigerian to claim this coveted award was the legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
The award acknowledges Osimhen's remarkable performances for his Napoli club and the national team, where he plays a pivotal role. Leading Napoli to an unprecedented Serie A title, he scored 26 goals in the league, securing the Pichichi (top scorer) award and making history as the first African to do so. His impressive contributions surpassed George Weah's record as the highest-scoring player from the continent in the Italian top flight.
Napoli's last Serie A triumph was 33 years ago during the iconic Diego Maradona era. In the 2022/23 season, the former Lille striker's exceptional form earned him a spot in the Serie A Team of the Year, along with clinching the Best Striker prize.
Osimhen's placement at ninth in the 2023 Ballon d'Or reflected his significant contributions to the Serie A team's historic performance. This achievement marked him as the highest-ranked African for the year and the most highly-ranked Nigerian in the history of the prestigious award.
Earlier in the same month, the Nigerian footballer received the Italian Footballers' Association Player of the Year award, making him the first African to win the AIC award.
Below is the full list of the men’s best XI of the year:
GOALKEEPER
Andre Onana
DEFENDERS
Achraf Hakimi
Chancel Mbemba
Kalidou Koulibaly
MIDFIELDERS
Thomas Partey
Andre-Frank Anguissa
Mohammed Kudus
Sofyan Amrabat
ATTACKERS
Sadio Mane
Mohamed Salah
Victor Osimhen
Similarly, Nigeria's women's striker, Asisat Oshoala, clinched the 2023 CAF Women's Player of the Year at the ongoing Confederation of African Football awards. This marks Oshoala's sixth accolade in this category.
In another triumph for the Falcons, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the goalkeeper for the Super Falcons, secured the title of CAF Women's Goalkeeper of the Year for 2023 on Monday night. The Paris FC player from France outshone her counterparts, Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija El-Rmichi, and South Africa's Andile Olaminii.
This award serves as recognition for Nnadozie's exceptional performances in the Women's World Cup in Canada and Australia, concluding the tournament with three clean sheets.
