Asamoah Gyan Tips Nigeria Striker Victor Osimhen for African Player of the Year Award

• Ghana legend, Asamoah Gyan insists Victor Osimhen is the favourite for AFOTY
• The Nigerian striker led Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years
• Osimhen finished last season as the top scorer in Italy

Legendary Ghanaian forward, Asamoah Gyan believes that Napoli and Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen deserves to win the 2023 African Player of the Year award.

The Confederation of African Football will announce a new winner of the award later this year.

Sadio Mane is the current holder of the gong, after leading Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations success in 2022 as well as winning domestic trophies with Liverpool.

These days, the Senegalese attacker plies his trade in Saudi Arabia following a tough spell in Germany with Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Osimhen became the overwhelming favourite for the award after leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. The Super Eagles star also won the golden boot award in Italy.

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"For me, he deserves it. As a striker and seeing what he is doing, for the first time in over 30 years, winning the league with Napoli. He deserves it," Gyan told Brilla FM.

The 37-year-old was in Nigeria to celebrate the 50th birthday of Super Eagles legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.

Gyan hung up his boots in June 2023, after an illustrious career spanning almost two decades, as reported by the BBC.

Gyan spotted at Okocha's birthday

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that legendary African footballers turned up in Lagos recently for the 50th birthday celebration of mercurial Nigerian midfielder, Jay Jay Okocha.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was born in Enugu on August 14, 1973, and reached the golden jubilee milestone this week.

Okocha is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers of all time, having achieved much on the field of play.

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Gyan advises Osimhen

Meanwhile, Gyan is backing Osimhen to move to Saudi Arabia after the Napoli star was linked to Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League side made a reported offer of €140 million for the Nigerian forward on Monday, but his club rejected the bid.

After news broke of Al-Hilal's interest in the prolific goal-scorer, social media went into a frenzy as many reacted and shared their views.