Victor Osimhen: From Multiple Rejections to Winning CAF Player of the Year Award

• Victor Osimehn was declared Africa's best player on December 11
• The Nigerian star led Napoli to its first Serie A title in over 33 years
• Sports Brief looks at Osimhen's journey from rejection to success

As Victor Osimhen rose to receive his CAF Player of the Year Award from the federation president, Patrice Motsepe on December 11, one phrase was synonymous with those who had gathered at the hall in Marrakech, those following the event worldwide and the Nigerian forward himself - dreams do come true.

In 2015, Osimhen was this fledgling talent that had just led Nigeria to the U17 World Cup title staged in Chile. The striker scored in every game, finishing the tournament with ten goals - the most ever in a single championship.

CAF awarded him the Youth Player of the Year for his heroics, but the Olusosun-born player wanted more.

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"I am not going to lie. It would be my dream to be African Footballer of the Year. I was at the ceremony in 2015 when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won the award. As an African, you dream of this prize and maybe I can win," he told Daily Mail in a recent interview.

As we said, dreams do come true.

Osimhen wins CAF Player of the Year

The 24-year-old ended Nigeria's 24-year wait to win CAF's most prestigious individual award. Funny when you think how big of a footballing nation the Super Eagles are in the continent.

His win completed the West African nation's fairytale night in Morocco, with Barcelona Femeni forward, Asisat Oshoala winning her sixth Women's Player of the Year.

Yet as Osimhen sits at the top of the throne, he himself will know the journey to becoming Africa's best wasn't easy. For a player who had to sell oranges and water on the streets to make ends meet, he was never handed things on a silver platter.

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As Sports Brief previously looked at it, there have been times in the former Lille striker's career where Osimhen has outrightly been rejected, snubbed, and disrespected.

2015 U17 World Cup

Going back to the 2015 U17 World Cup, it was astonishing that Osimhen, despite scoring six more goals than the next challenger, wasn't given the Golden Ball.

No one doubted eventual winner, Kelechi Nwakali's contribution to the team, but if someone scores ten goals in a tournament game and wins the title, you wonder what else they need to do.

The scenario repeated itself years later after he led Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990 when Diego Maradona was the leading light in Naples.

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The Nigerian forward took charge of Luicano Spalletti's side, scoring 26 goals to end the title drought. He was a frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player of the Year award, but his teammate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, pipped him to it.

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The Georgian, just like Nwakali in 2015, was the player with the 'wow factor' in the team. A player who would dribble, nutmeg and entertain the crowd as Osimhen put the ball into the back of the net.

Their talents were out there, but football is won by the number of goals you score than your opponent, no?

To make matters worse, months after, Napoli made fun of their striker with offensive TikTok videos after he missed a penalty in a top-flight match. The club never offered an apt apology, as Osimhen took down pictures affiliated with the club from his social media.

He indeed felt hurt then, but after winning the CAF award on December 11, he clarified the situation.

"I want to correct an impression here: Napoli didn't treat me badly. It was a stupid mistake from an individual and I wasn't happy about it. But Aurelio De Laurentiis (Napoli President) took charge of the situation and stood with me. I spoke to the individual and he was remorseful. I am happy with that," he said in a video shared by OgaNlaMedia.

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Such maturity comes with territory and success, I guess.

Osimhen has become the 'Promised Prince'

Football might be a team sport, but Osimhen has been rather unlucky not to win a couple of individual awards in the past.

In Morocco, however, all the lights shone on him as he usurped Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi to be Africa's best. Good things come to those who wait. Eh, Victor?