… Battles Hakimi, Salah
By Rasaq Oboirien
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen is set to become the first Nigerian to win the African Player of the Year award since Kanu Nwankwo claimed the prestigious gong 24 years ago.
The 2023 CAF Awards Gala holds tonight at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco, as the award is meant to celebrate excellence and remarkable achievements in African football.
Osimhen is the favourite to clinch the coveted Men’s Player of the Year, while Super Falcons and Barcelona star, Asisat Oshoala aims for a record breaking sixth title in the Women’s category.
The 24-year-old Nigerian had a superb season last term, helping Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years and the Golden Boot in Italy. He scored 31 goals in 39 matches for Napoli last season and was the top-scorer during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
His competitors, Mohammed Salah and Achraf Hakimi have not been close in terms of their recent achievements.
Salah had a good season in the Premier League last season, scoring and breaking many records, however, the Egyptian failed to win a silverware with either Liverpool or the Pharaohs, while Hakimi who features for Paris Saint Germain won the French Ligue One and helped the Atlas Lions of Morocco last FIFA World Cup in Qatar to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
In the women’s’ category, Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona), has the duo of Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville) and Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli) to contend for the women’s crown.
Also Super Falcons Chiamaka Nnadozie will vie for the Goalkeeper of the Year, Deborah Abiodun is in contention for Young Player of the Year while the Super Falcons are nominated for the National Team of the Year.
Meanwhile, Nigerian football legends, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, John Mikel Obi and Perpetua Nkwocha will grace the prestigious 2023 CAF Awards, as the continent apex football body extended an invitation to the trio to add a touch of elegance to the celebration of excellence and outstanding achievements in African football.
Other African football legends like former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o, one-time Liverpool forward, El Hadji Diouf, ex-Arsenal man, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jonathan Pitroipa, Kalusha Bwalya, Ahmed Hassan, and Patrick Mboma, have also been invited for this year’s edition of the CAF Awards.