24 long years! The very last time a Nigerian player emerged as the CAF Player of the Year. Kanu Nwankwo was that man. It has been down the slope of nominations since then.
Austin Okocha who came close twice in 2003 and 2004 but finished third position on both occasions and John Obi Mikel who finished second in 2013 are the only other Nigerians to have been nominated for Africa’s most prestigious individual football award.
10 years down the line, a Nigerian is up there again – on the shortlist and most likely the favourite to win this time. Victor Osimhen of Napoli is a Nigerian.
His hard work for Napoli in the 2022/2023 Serie A title-winning season and his exploits with the Super Eagles in the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers have almost left him unanimously the winner of the 2023 award.
Victor Osimhen scored 10 goals in the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign, the highest in the qualifications, and also netted 31 goals for Napoli, 26 in the Serie A to lead both Nigeria Napoli to the 2023 AFCON and the Scudetto title.
His contributions saw him not only bag individual awards at Napoli and Serie A but Victor Osimhen was named the 8th best player in the world in the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
Victor Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi battle
However, Victor Osimhen still has Egypt and Liverpool main man – Mohammed Salah and PSG and Morocco’s right back, Achraf Hakimi to compete with.
CAF shortlisted the three players as the main contenders for the award.
Say cheese if you're a top 3 player in the continent. ?#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/GcpYHfAPkA
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
Salah had a great season of goal-scoring for Liverpool. The Reds did not win any trophy but he was instrumental to their season with their goals. Egypt was also missing from the 2022 Qatar World Cup just like Nigeria.
Hakimi and the Atlas Lions had a fantastic Qatar 2022 World Cup. They became the first African country to get to the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup and eventually finished 4th. The energetic right-back also won the Ligue 1 with PSG.
The duo had the best year however, it does look like Victor Osimhen had the greatest year in his career so far.
Osimhen, and Oshoala double on
Osimhen is not the only Nigerian on the shortlist for an award. Barcelona and 5-time African Women Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala is on for her 6th award.
The very best.
Player of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/mORASsoDFr
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
If Oshoala picks her 6th award and Victor Osimhen wins the male category, this will be the very first time both African players of the year will come from the same country.
Nigeria could also bag five awards on the night as Abiodun Deborah made the shortlist for the Women’s Young Player of the Year while Chiamaka Nnadozie is on the shortlist for the Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Super Falcons for their exploits at the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup are also in the running for the Women’s National Team of the Year.
National Teams with years to remember.
National Team of the Year (WOMEN) award – Final 3.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/XqNYv37bFZ
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 7, 2023
If Nigeria wins in all categories, it will be a historic night for the country in African football.
The CAF Awards 2023 will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco tomorrow.
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