Osimhen's record attempt outcome out in December

Posted : 26 July 2023

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set December 11 as the date for the highly anticipated 2023 CAF Awards, a prestigious occasion where outstanding footballers from the continent are recognized for their exceptional performances in the preceding year.

Among the various award categories, the most coveted is the one for the best male player.

Notably, no Nigerian player has clinched this prestigious award since the legendary Kanu Nwankwo achieved the feat in 1999.

Though several Nigerian players have come close in recent years, the crown has eluded them since then.

This year, however, there is a renewed sense of optimism. Victor Osimhen, the 24-year-old star from Napoli, had an incredible campaign, propelling Napoli to their first Serie A Scudetto victory since 1990 by scoring an impressive 26 goals in the league.

Along the way, Osimhen also surpassed the scoring records of the iconic George Weah and former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o.

Furthermore, Osimhen showcased his brilliance on the European stage, playing a crucial role in Napoli's UEFA Champions League journey with five goals, culminating in the team's first-ever quarterfinal appearance.

On the international front, Osimhen has consistently delivered for the Super Eagles, becoming an indispensable player for the three-time African champions.

CAF has specified that the consideration period for the award is from September 2022 to June 2023, and within this timeframe, only a handful of players have matched Osimhen's exceptional performances.

While Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, who have been dominant forces, failed to maintain their previous high standards last season, Riyad Mahrez, who won the treble with Manchester City, did not quite match Osimhen's impact.

The only players who can rival Osimhen's achievements from the past year are the Moroccan stars Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi.

Both players played instrumental roles for Morocco in their impressive fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. On the club level, Bounou won the Europa League with Sevilla, while Hakimi secured the Ligue 1 title.

Ultimately, the winner of the best male player award will be determined through voting, and the announcement will be made during the ceremony on December 11.

With his extraordinary performances, Victor Osimhen stands as one of the favorites to claim the prestigious accolade, rekindling hopes for a Nigerian player to finally break the long-standing record and be crowned the best in Africa once again.

Osimhen's record attempt outcome out in December

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