As of today, December 10, Nigerian athletes nominated in various categories for the 2023 Confederation of African Football Awards are anticipated to begin traveling to Marrakech, Morocco.
Remember that Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah are the other two nominees for CAF Player of the Year, along with Victor Osimhen of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The 24-year-old Osimhen has been a key player for Napoli over the past 12 months, helping the team win its first league championship in thirty-three years. He scored 31 goals in 32 Serie A games last season, including a league-high 26 goals.
The Nigerian won the Paolo Rossi Award, Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year, and Serie A Best Striker for his outstanding play in Italy.
He is also a nominee for the Globe Soccer award and placed eighth on the most recent Ballon d’Or shortlist.
When the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begins in Ivory Coast on January 13 and runs through February 11, the 24-year-old striker for Napoli is predicted to continue to lead the continent.
Osimhen is anticipated to take over for Sadio Mane, the reigning CAF Player of the Year. The award ceremony for this year is scheduled for December 11.
Victor Osimhen would become the first player from Nigeria to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu did so in 1999 if he were to win. The only other Nigerian to receive the prize twice is Kanu.
Other Nigerians who have ever won the award include Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba, and Kanu.
In the 2023 edition of the award, the Super Falcons national team are up for the best national team of the year. Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Abiodun, and Chiamaka Nnadozie are among the other Nigerian personalities who have been nominated for the CAF awards.