Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen makes 10 man shortlist for CAF Award

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been named among the top ten nominees for the Player of the Year award at the CAF Awards. The Napoli striker enjoyed a successful campaign at Napoli last season, scoring 31 goals in all competitions. His stellar performance helped the Italian club reach the Champions League quarterfinals and secure their first Italian league title in 33 years. Additionally, Osimhen had an impressive year with the Super Eagles, finishing as the highest goalscorer in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

In early November, CAF released the initial list of 30 players nominated for the CAF Player of the Year awards, with Osimhen making the cut. The African football governing body has now narrowed down the list to ten players, and Osimhen remains in contention for the prestigious award. He faces tough competition from players such as Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar, Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, Morocco’s Yousef En-Nesyri, Cameroon’s Zambo Anguissa, and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez.

Furthermore, Nigerian player Gift Orban has also been nominated in the Young Player of the Year category.

The 24-year-old striker is considered the favorite to win the Player of the Year award, given his successful year at both club and country levels. Additionally, Osimhen was ranked as the highest-ranking African player at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October. If he secures the award, Osimhen will become the first Nigerian player to do so since 1998 when Kanu “Papilo” Nwankwo claimed the honor.