Napoli star Osimhen wins African Footballer of the Year

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year at an awards ceremony in Marrakesh.

The 24-year-old Napoli striker fended off competition from Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to claim the prestigious accolade.

Osimhem was understandably delighted after becoming the first Nigerian to triumph since ex-Arsenal marksman Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

He said: "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 scored 26 Serie A goals last term to inspire Napoli to their first Scudetto win in 33 years, with his all-action performances under Luciano Spalletti's leadership seeing him named the Serie A Player of the Season.

The Lagos native also became the first Nigerian to finish in the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or with an impressive eighth-place finish in this year's voting.

Osimhen has been productive for his country in 2023 too, scoring five goals in four Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers — and the striker will be desperate to lead Nigeria to glory at the tournament, which starts on January 13.

Oshoala triumphs again

Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala made it a night to remember for Nigeria as she retained the women's award.

Incredibly, it is the sixth time she has won the prize, with the 29-year-old forward scoring five goals in nine Women's Champions League games last season as the Catalan's lifted the trophy.

Morocco won the best National Team of the Year after their success in last winter's World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

The winners are voted for by a panel of Confederation of African Football technical committees and African media professionals, head coaches and captains.