Can Super Eagles striker Osimhen become the next African Footballer of the Year?

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, might be considered for the next CAF Player of the Year award due to his current form as he continues to blaze the trail in Italy's top flight football - Serie A.  

It's been 24 years since a Nigerian footballer won the prestigious football award in the continent and this season presents a golden opportunity for Osimhen after finding the back of the net 19 times in 20 appearances this season for Napoli in the Serie A and two goals in four matches in the UEFA Champions League. 

The 24-year-old has made a remarkable steady progression since his arrival at Napoli in 2020 from Lille, averaging 0.56g per match.

It is no magic how this young lad has improved on the pitch with the round leather object whose goal in January was voted as the Serie A Goal of the Month. 

With his current form coupled with previous performances at Napoli scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances and 14 goals in 27 appearances in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons respectively, there is no doubt that Osimhen might get a chance of winning the most prestigious individual award in Africa if he continues with the pattern of play on the pitch. 

Osimhen is currently the only notable Nigerian football star in Europe that stands a chance of winning the African Player of the Year award. 

Having missed the 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations due to a face injury he sustained before the competition, there is no doubt that the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner will be bracing up for next year's AFCON.

He was instrumental in Napoli's 2-0 victory over Empoli on Saturday, scoring in the 28th minute.and will have another opportunity to prove himself as they face Lazio on Friday, March 3. 

Napoli are currently topping the table with 65 points after 24 matches, eighteen points ahead of Inter Milan.  
 

Kenneth Afor 

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