'It has become a dream' - Osimhen speaks on the prospect of winning African Best Player of the Year

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has expressed optimism ahead of this year's CAF Awards Ceremony.

The Napoli talisman is among the 10 men shortlisted for the prestigious prize to be awarded to the best men's player on the continent.

However, the Nigerian international faces stiff competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Al Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez, Al-Nassr’s Sadio Mane, Al Hilal’s Yassine Bounou, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi who have all been shortlisted for the award.

Osimhen had an impressive season with Napoli last season as he scored 26 Serie A goals in 32 appearances to guide the Naples-based team to their first Scudetto title in 33 years.

The 24-year-old also won the Capocannoniere award becoming the first African player to do so.

Speaking ahead of the awards which will hold in Marrakesh on December 11, the ex-Lille striker said.

“It [would] mean a lot, a whole lot to me [to win the CAF African Footballer of the Year award],” Osimhen said in a recent interview.

“I remember in 2015, when I won the [CAF] Youth Player of Year [award], you know I saw the winner [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang] walk up to the podium to receive [CAF African Footballer of the Year award].

“Since then, for me, it has become a dream to try to be there and win something as prestigious as that,” he said.

Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigerian player to win the African Player of the Year award back in 1999.

WDN