CAF Awards: Nigerians Fume As Amuneke Picks Salah Over Osimhen to Win Best Player

CAF Awards: Nigerians Fume As Amuneke Picks Salah Over Osimhen to Win Best Player

Raphael Abiola
updated at December 11, 2023 at 6:37 PM
In this article:
Victor Osimhen logo
V. Osimhen
Napoli logoFNigeria logo
Mohamed Salah logo
M. Salah
Liverpool logoFEgypt logo
  • Emmanuel Amuneke has opted for another player ahead of Victor Osimhen for the CAF Player of the Year award
  • The former Barcelona winger was spotted with other African legends ahead of the award ceremony in Morocco
  • Nigerians dragged the former Nigerian international on social media for choosing another player ahead of Osimhen

Nigerians are not happy with one of the Super Eagles legends who decided to pick Mohamed Salah ahead of Victor Osimhen as the 2023 CAF Player of the Year.

The Nigerian international was made the final three for the African Best Player of the Year award but faces strong competition from Salah and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.

The Super Eagles striker earned a place in the finalist due to his performance for Napoli in the Italian Serie A last season and Nigerian in the qualifying series for the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

Emmanuel Amuneke acknowledged the fans after walking out with the FIFA U-17 World Cup winners trophy prior to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Final. Photo: Alex Caparros.
Emmanuel Amuneke acknowledged the fans after walking out with the FIFA U-17 World Cup winners trophy prior to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Final. Photo: Alex Caparros.
Source: Getty Images

In a video uploaded by CAF on their official X handles, African football legends who are attending the ceremony were asked to pick their winner between the three finalists.

Former Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke opted for Egyptian international Salah instead of his fellow countryman Osimhen.

Amuneke, who coached Osimhen during the under-17 World Cup triumph in 2015, choice came as a surprise to Nigerians and were disappointed he didn't go for the Napoli striker.

@ojbsports said:

"I respect Amunike’s choice as a legend.. But I’m a bit shocked if not completely that he chose Salah ahead of Osimhen that outdid Salah last season. Being a Nigerian, your first preference should be Osimhen 🤷🏾‍♂️"

@Ogbenipopson said:

"Amunike picked Salah ahead of Osimhen. This is shameful and disappointing."

@AbasibiangakeI said:

"Amuneke abeg tell us why you no pick your player Osimhen o"

@Emmanuelojima1 said

"Emmanuel Amunike was the Coach of Victor Osimhen at the 2015 Fifa u17 World Cup Nigeria won, there’s this goal Osimhen scored that he ran straight to go and bow before him as a massive sign of respect. Furthermore, having seen the season he had picking Salah ahead of him…"

@cZrotot999 said:

"You see the thing with Nigerian people.. They don't support Nigerians.. And this isn't even Asif osimhen had a bad season..he had a awesome season but that one say Na Salah.... This life ..Naso Perpetual nkwocha no pick Oshoala that year"

@topefowowe said:

"Amuneke should not even be considered by the @thenff as the next gaffa of our senior national team."

African legends storm Morocco for CAF Awards.

Sports Brief earlier reported that several African football legends, including some previous winners of the African Player of the Year Award, are in Morocco ahead of the 2023 CAF Awards.

The award ceremony is slated for the famous Palais des Congress in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, December 11.

Africa's most esteemed sporting awards will be draped in this delicate combination of elegance, power, royalty and success to celebrate the continent's finest.

Authors
Raphael Abiola photo
Raphael Abiola
Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over five years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015.