CAF Awards: Victor Osimhen crowned African Player of the Year ahead of Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah

• Victor Osimhen is the new king of African football after winning the 2023 CAF Player of the Year award
• The Nigeria and Napoli striker beat home favourite Achraf Hakimi and Egypt's Mohamed Salah to the prize
• Osimhen becomes the fifth Nigerian to win the award and the first since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999

The whole of Nigeria can breathe a sigh of relief.

Their hero and Napoletano ace, Victor Osimhen, has reached the individual summit of African football.

The crowd rose to their feet in Marrakech as CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe called out the striker's name, writing him into the footballing history books forever.

Osimhen was the clear favourite to win the award after his goals steered Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years.

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The Nigerian scored 31 goals in 39 matches for Napoli last season and was the top-scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with ten goals per Transfermarkt.

It is the first time in 24 years that a Nigerian would be crowned with the prestigious prize, with Kanu Nawankwo winning it back in 1999.

Osimhen edged Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah to the award as both also had a sensational footballing year.

Hakimi played an important role, helping Morocco to become the first African side to reach the semi-final of a FIFA World Cup, having achieved the feat in Qatar.

In addition to his accomplishments, the 25-year-old contributed significantly to Paris Saint-Germain's success in clinching the Ligue 1 title during the season.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah had a standout season with Liverpool, breaking the thirty-goal barrier for the third consecutive season. A notable highlight was his seven-minute hat-trick away to Rangers in the Champions League.

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'Victor Osimhen deserves award' - Mboma

Sports Brief recently reported on Cameroonian legend Patrick Mboma's praise for Victor Osimhen.

The winner in 2000, Mboma, suggested that it would be difficult for another footballer to beat Osimhen.

The Nigerian scored 26 league goals as he guided Napoli to their third Scudetto and first since 1990.