Victor Osimhen: The Next African Footballer of the Year?

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has been tipped to win the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award by Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan. Osimhen had a stellar season with Napoli, helping them win their first Serie A title in 33 years and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award in Italy with 26 goals.

Osimhen also impressed in the Champions League, scoring five goals as Napoli reached the quarterfinals of the competition. His performances earned him praise from Gyan, who believes he deserves the prestigious award.

"For me, he deserves it. As a striker and seeing what he is doing, for the first time in over 30 years, winning the league with Napoli. He deserves it," Gyan told Brilla FM.

Osimhen will face stiff competition from other African stars, such as Riyad Mahrez of Algeria, who won the treble with Manchester City last season, and Yassine Bounou of Morocco, who led Sevilla to the Europa League title and helped Morocco qualify for the World Cup semifinals in Qatar in 2022.

The Confederation of African Football will announce the winner of the award later this year. The last Nigerian to win the award was Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.