Victor Osimhen Declares 2023 CAF African Player of the Year Award as Career Highlight

Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen has declared that winning the CAF African Player of the Year award in 2023 was the best moment of his career. The Napoli striker beat out competition from Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Egypt's Mohamed Salah to bring the honor back to Nigeria for the first time since Kanu Nwankwo won it in 1999.

Osimhen called the award a childhood dream come true, saying "Every young African footballer aspires to win the African Player of the Year award." The 24-year-old had a stellar 2022-23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 Serie A games and 31 goals across all competitions. His prolific scoring helped lead Napoli to their first league title in 33 years.

In addition to the team success, Osimhen made history on an individual level. He became the first African player to win the Serie A top scorer award and was named the Italian Footballers Association Serie A Player of the Year. Osimhen also shined for the Nigerian national team, finishing as the top scorer with 10 goals in Africa Cup of Nations qualification as Nigeria booked their spot in the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast.

Osimhen capped off his remarkable year by becoming the first Nigerian player to finish in the Top 10 of the Ballon d'Or, placing eighth in the prestigious award's rankings. The young striker views his 2019 transfer to Belgian club Charleroi from Wolfsburg as a critical moment that jumpstarted his rise to stardom. After struggling for playing time in Germany, Osimhen's 20-goal season at Charleroi earned him a move to Lille and eventually his current club Napoli.

Why this matters: Osimhen's CAF African Player of the Year award marks a major milestone for Nigerian football and serves as an inspiration for aspiring African players. His success at Napoli and individual accolades have established him as one of the world's top young strikers.

Looking ahead, Osimhen has set his sights on emulating the success and legacy of Didier Drogba, with whom he shares a close relationship. Former Italian star Fabio Cannavaro has praised Osimhen's exceptional talent, and the Nigerian has become a target for top European clubs. Osimhen admitted he will be emotional when the time comes to leave Napoli, where he has become a fan favorite and key figure in their historic title triumph.

Key Takeaways

• Victor Osimhen named 2023 CAF African Player of the Year, first Nigerian since 1999.
• Osimhen had a stellar 2022-23 season, scoring 26 goals in Serie A and leading Napoli to title.
• Osimhen became first African to win Serie A top scorer and Italian Footballer of the Year.
• Osimhen finished 8th in 2022 Ballon d'Or, highest ever for a Nigerian player.
• Osimhen aims to emulate Didier Drogba, now a top target for European clubs.