Victor Osimhen won the African Footballer of the Year award. The Nigerian striker beat Mohamed Salah at the award ceremony in Marrakech to win the award.
Asisat Oshoala also secured the award in the women’s category. Aged 24, Osimhen has already scored 26 goals, helping Napoli win Serie A last season. The striker was also the leading scorer in Italy’s top division.
Osimhen was put against Paris St. Germain’s RB Achraf Hakimi and Liverpool’s FW Salah for the award. However, the striker became the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu did in 1999.
The football player talked about the award in a recent interview. Osimhen stated that it is all a dream come true. The striker thanked everyone who helped him on the journey. Osimhen also thanked Africans who helped the Nigerians achieve everything despite being flawed.
Osimhen was not the only one who shook the stage in Marrakech. Morocco also took center stage after winning the Nation Team of the Year award in the men’s category. The team put on a stunning performance in the Qatar FIFA World Cup.
The underdogs went on to reach the semi-finals. This performance also helped their manager, Walid Regragui, win the Coach of the Year award.
Nigeria had another football star make it big at the ceremony. Barcelona’s FW Oshoala also won the African Footballer of the Year in the women’s category. The forward established a record by winning the award for the sixth time. Oshoala struggled with injuries all season but helped her team reach the round of 16.
The team pushed England to penalties but failed to progress. The performance helped Nigeria win the National Team of the Year award. However, it was Desiree Ellis who won the Coach of the Year award in the women’s category. Ellis won the award for the fourth consecutive time.
