Nigeria’s very own Victor Osimhen has clinched a coveted spot on the final three-man shortlist for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the glitzy shortlist on its official platform on Thursday, sparking widespread excitement among fans and pundits alike. Osimhen, known for his razor-sharp prowess on the field, is set to lock horns with the formidable duo of Moroccan maestro Achraf Hakimi, a defensive stalwart from Paris Saint-Germain, and the iconic Egyptian speedster and Liverpool sensation, Mohamed Salah.
Notably absent from this year’s showdown is last year’s victor, Sadio Mane, who failed to secure a coveted slot in the final trio. With Mane out of the limelight, the stage is now set for a new monarch to ascend the throne of African football.
Osimhen’s phenomenal performance over the past season has seen him emerge as the frontrunner to seize the crown previously adorned by the Senegalese superstar. The 24-year-old prodigy played an instrumental role in propelling Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades, stunning the footballing world with a staggering tally of 26 electrifying goals.
Should Osimhen clinch the honor, he will etch his name in history as the first Nigerian to lay claim to the prestigious accolade since the legendary Kanu Nwankwo’s coronation as the continent’s finest player in 1999. The footballing universe eagerly anticipates the grand revelation, set to unfold at the illustrious CAF Awards Gala scheduled to dazzle on Monday, December 11, 2023. The stage for this momentous occasion is none other than the majestic Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, nestled in the enchanting city of Marrakech, Morocco.
As the grandeur of the CAF Awards Gala looms on the horizon, the global football fraternity braces itself for a captivating spectacle, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the next luminary to ascend the throne of African football.
