Super Eagles of Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen has emerged winner of the prestigious CAF Best Player Award after a stellar year with his club and country.
Osimhen was named 2023 Men’s Player of the Year at the award ceremony which took place in Marakech, Morroco on Monday.
The Nigerian forward who led the lines for his country and club took home the award ahead of the likes of Mohammed Salah, Riyadh Mahrez and other elite African footballers playing within and outside the continent.
Victor Osimhen, who led Napoli to their first Italian Serie A title in over thirty years also finished as the highest goal scorer in the league ahead of Inter Milan’s hitman Lautaro Martinez to become the first African to win the award.
He followed that fantastic feat by going on a scoring spree for the Super Eagles of Nigeria where he finished as the top goal scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier series.
Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian to win the prestigious award since Kanu Nwankwo won it in 1999.
Meanwhile, Super Falcons of Nigeria and FC Barcelona Femenini forward, Asisat Oshoala was also named 2023 Women’s Player of the Year after having a brilliant year for both her club and country.
Oshoala who won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with FC Barcelona also led the Super Falcons to a memorable World Cup adventure in Australia and New Zealand. She has now won the award six times.
In other categories, Yassine Bounou of Morocco was named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year while Super Falcons guardian angel, Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Goalkeeper of The Year award for in the female category.
Percy Tau of South Africa and AlAhly was named Men’s Interclub Player of the Year, Fatima Tagnaout of Morocco won Women’s Interclub Player of the Year award.
Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui won Men’s Coach of the Year award while Desirre Ellis of South Africa was named Women’s Coach of the Year.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco won Men’s National Team of the Year award while Super Falcons of Nigeria won Women’s National Team of the Year award.
AlAhly FC of Egypt won the Men’s Club of the year award while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the award in the female category.
The 2023 Men’s Young Player of the Year award was won by Lamine Camara of Senegal while Nesryne El Chad of Morocco took home the award in the female category.
Goal of The Year award was handed to Mahmoud Kahraba for his stunning finish for AlAhly FC.
