At a ceremony in Marrakech on Monday, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen defeated Mohamed Salah to win the title of African Footballer of the Year. Asisat Oshoala took home the top prize in the women’s division.
Osimhen, 24, was the top scorer in Italy’s top division and scored 26 goals to lead Napoli to an unexpected victory in Serie A last season.
The other two final contenders were Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, a right-back for Paris St. Germain, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, a forward for Liverpool; however, Osimhen won the award to become the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
“It is a dream come true. I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults,” Osimhen said.
Following their exciting journey to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, Morocco’s men’s team was named National Team of the Year, and their manager Walid Regragui bagged coach of the year.
Nigeria’s Barcelona forward Oshoala, who overcame injury to lead her team to the World Cup quarterfinals in Australia and New Zealand, where they defeated England on penalties, was named the women’s African Footballer of the Year for a record sixth time.
Nigeria won the National Team of the Year award, but Desiree Ellis of South Africa won the women’s Coach of the Year award four times in a row.
