Victor Osimhen’s Historic Victory
Victor Osimhen has clinched the prestigious Men’s African Footballer of the Year award, edging out formidable competitors such as Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old secured the award, mirroring the achievement of his Nigerian compatriot Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. This crowning achievement comes on the heels of Osimhen’s stellar performance, notably propelling Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
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Osimhen’s Goal-Scoring Mastery
The Nigerian forward left an indelible mark on the previous Serie A season, finishing as the division’s top scorer with an impressive tally of 26 goals. His prolific run of form played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumph, firmly establishing him as the leading striker in Italy’s top tier. Additionally, Osimhen showcased his prowess on the European stage by netting five goals in six Champions League matches during the 2022/23 campaign.
Salah’s Milestone and Narrow Miss
While Victor Osimhen basks in his glory, Mohamed Salah, despite reaching a significant milestone of 200 goals for Liverpool, narrowly missed out on securing his third African Footballer of the Year prize. Salah’s individual brilliance was evident as he scored 30 goals in 51 appearances last season and continued his impressive form with 14 goals in 22 games this term.
Klopp’s Admiration for Salah
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s esteemed manager, lauded Salah’s achievement, emphasizing the Egyptian forward’s exceptional contribution to the team. Klopp acknowledged Salah as a “super-special player” and commended his ability to score crucial goals in decisive moments.
Hakimi’s Strong Contention and Oshoala’s Triumph in Women’s Category
Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender, also put up a strong fight for the Men’s African Footballer of the Year award but fell short against Osimhen’s outstanding achievements. Shifting focus to the women’s category, Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala secured the Women’s African Footballer of the Year accolade, a testament to her remarkable season, which included scoring 27 goals and contributing to Barcelona’s treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.
Oshoala’s Resilience and Record-Breaking Sixth Win
Asisat Oshoala’s triumph is even more remarkable considering the challenges she faced, including battling injuries. Her determined spirit propelled Barcelona to the 16th round at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they faced England in a nerve-racking penalty shootout. With this win, Oshoala now holds the record for the most Women’s African Footballer of the Year awards, securing her sixth title.
National Team and Coach of the Year Honors
The celebration of African football excellence extended beyond individual accolades. Morocco was recognized as the National Team of the Year in the men’s category for their thrilling performance at the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. Their coach, Walid Regragui, rightfully earned the Coach of the Year title. In the women’s domain, Nigeria emerged victorious as the National Team of the Year, with South Africa’s Desiree Ellis named women’s Coach of the Year, clinching the title for the fourth consecutive time.
The glitzy ceremony in Marrakesh served as a fitting tribute to the outstanding contributions of African football players and teams, marking a momentous occasion in the continent’s football history.
Victor Osimhen Acknowledges TikTok Incident as ‘Stupid Error,’ Emphasizes Napoli Support
Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, has openly addressed the TikTok controversy that unfolded last September, deeming it a “stupid error.” Despite initial tensions, Osimhen clarified that neither the club nor President Aurelio De Laurentiis treated him poorly in the aftermath of the incident.
Agent’s Legal Threat and Osimhen’s Perspective
The controversy stemmed from a video posted on Napoli’s official TikTok account, which led Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, to threaten legal action against the club. However, Osimhen, now named African Player of the Year, revealed that the troubles resulting from the social media post have been resolved amicably.
In his statement on Monday, after being named African Player of the Year, Osimhen expressed, “I must clarify something. I was not treated badly by Napoli or De Laurentiis. It was a stupid error from somebody who thought he could use a thing like that to joke at a crucial moment.”
Apology and Support from Napoli
Despite the initial discord, Osimhen highlighted the support he received from Napoli’s leadership, including President De Laurentiis and his son Edoardo. The club took the initiative to explain the situation, and even the individual responsible for the controversial post expressed remorse. Osimhen emphasized that the resolution of the issue and the genuine apology contributed to his contentment with the club.
“I spoke to that person, and he proved to be deeply sorry. Everything has been solved, so I am happy with them. Now I look to the future to leave it behind. This story belongs to the past,” Osimhen affirmed.
Award Recognition Amidst Champions League Preparations
Despite the off-field distractions, Osimhen’s focus has not wavered. He missed Napoli’s training session on Monday but had a significant reason – to fly to Morocco and receive the prestigious African Player of the Year award. Tonight, he is expected to play a pivotal role for Napoli in their Champions League fixture against Braga at the Stadio Maradona.
Napoli’s Champions League Journey
Napoli finds themselves on the brink of qualification for the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Even a one-goal defeat in tonight’s fixture with Braga would secure Napoli’s passage to the knockout phase.
Osimhen’s Season Performance
With six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions this season, Osimhen continues to be a key asset for Napoli. As they navigate both domestic and European competitions, his contributions on the field remain integral to the Partenopei’s success.
