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'Osimhen Deserves CAF Player of the Year Award': Cameroon Legend Explains Why Nigerian is Top

'Osimhen Deserves CAF Player of the Year Award': Cameroon Legend Explains Why Nigerian is Top

Babajide Orevba
December 8, 2023 at 2:48 PM
  • Victor Osimhen has been tipped to win the 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award
  • Former African Footballer of the Year Patrick Mboma has lauded the Nigerian
  • Mboma felt it would be difficult for anyone to challenge Osimhen for the prize

Cameroon legend, Patrick Mboma has tipped Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen for the 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently released the list of 30 nominees for the men’s categories for this year's awards, scheduled for December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Among the favourites for the prestigious prize are Napoli striker Osimhen, Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mane, Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, and Yassine Bounou of Al-Hilal.

Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen tipped to win the 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award. Photo: Franco Romano.
Source: Getty Images

Last season, Osimhen scored 26 league goals to lead Napoli to the Serie A title as the Partenopei won the Scudetto again after more than three decades, according to TransferMarkt.

The 24-year-old also won the league's Golden Boot as he smashed the record set by Liberian legend, George Weah to become the African with the most goals in the Italian top flight.

Ahead of the CAF Awards, the winner of the prize in the year 2000 - Mboma - has suggested that it would be difficult to fight Osimhen for the prize.

Mboma, who was in the stands for Nigeria's clash with Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo this week, told Sports Brief:

"Not only because he is a striker, but I think Osimhen has done a great job and his performances are of top level. It will be tough to fight against him. My favourite is Osimhen."

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Osimhen discloses why he rejected Saudi offer

Sports Brief previously reported on Osimhen explaining his rejection of Saudi Arabia despite a lucrative offer from a club in the country's top flight this summer.

The Super Eagles star's performance for Napoli last season alerted top European clubs and throughout the summer, he was continually linked with a move away.

Saudi Pro League club, Al-Hilal reportedly submitted a £120 million offer to Napoli for the Nigerian forward, who could have earned around £1 million each week.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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Victor OsimhenNigeria