Osimhen to battle Hakimi, Mahrez, Salah for 2023 CAF Player Of The Year Award

Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has been nominated for the 2023 CAF Africa Men’s Player of the Year award.

CAF announced the 30-man nominees on their X handle on Wednesday, November 1

The others who have been nominated are Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyane Amrabat, Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi and Mohammed Kudus.

Also shortlisted are Vincent Aboubakar, Thomas Partey, Percy Tau, Frank Anguissa among others.

Osimhen who was in fine form last season will hope to become the first Nigerian in more than two decades to win since Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999.

He finished top scorer with 26 goals as Napoli were crowned Serie A champions for the first time since 1989/90 season.

The 24-year-old, who was named best foreign athlete in Italy, became the first-ever African to win the Serie A Golden Boot.

Also, he won top scorer in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with 10 goals and finished in eight position in Monday’s Ballon d’Or award.

Earlier, CAF nominated Gift Orban for the Young Player of the Year category.

The 2023 CAF Player of the Year award will take place in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, 11 December.

NBA