Nigeria:Osimhen Believes CAF Award Will Provide a Boost for the Eagles
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
In a recent interview with CAF, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen expressed his enthusiasm and motivation following his win of the CAF African Footballer of The Year award. Osimhen, who competed against tough contenders like Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah, sees this accolade as a significant boost for himself and his teammates as they gear up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, had a stellar performance in the past year, contributing significantly to both his club and the national team. The Super Eagles, with their eyes set on success, are in Group A alongside hosts Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in the upcoming AFCON.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s history in the AFCON, with victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Osimhen is optimistic about the team’s chances. He shared, “We are ready and preparing very well. The squad is in high spirits. We are raring to go and hope that we shall do well there.”
Osimhen aims to continue his outstanding form into the next year, having scored 27 goals in all competitions for Napoli – a feat that ties him with Egyptian Mohamed Salah as the joint-top scorer by an African player in the big five European leagues. Additionally, in May 2023, Osimhen made history by surpassing George Weah as the highest goal-scoring African player in Serie A, notching his 47th goal.
The striker, who also led in goals during the AFCON 2023 qualifiers with 10 goals, remains focused on making a significant impact in the upcoming tournament. As the Super Eagles prepare to compete, Osimhen’s award serves as a testament to his dedication and skill on the field.
