Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Togo and Arsenal striker, has stated that Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen should be named the 2023 African Player of the Year.
Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli’s first league title in over three decades, scoring 26 goals and giving five assists as they were named Italian champions.
The 24-year-old’s outstanding performance last season put him among the frontrunners for the prize, with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, who won the treble, and Sevilla’s Moroccan attacker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Former Nigerian international, Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigerian to win the award in 1999.
Adebayor, who won the accolade in 2008, told BBC Sport that the Napoli attacker’s performance last season gave him an advantage.
“It’s very simple, we have seen the season and for me if you ask me who deserve the 2023 African Player of the Year award, its Osimhen, because of what he has done with Napoli, scoring in all the biggest games in Italy and also winning the Scudetto.
“He has done quite well, who is there (to challenge Osimhen) Sadio Mane was injured and had a difficult season, Mohamed Salah had one of his worst seasons in his career, there’s the guy from Cameroon Zambo Anguissa but the star player in Napoli is Osimhen. If you ask me to vote and I am given 10 votes I will give 12 to Osimhen for the 2023 African Player of the Year,” the former Real Madrid man said.
The Nigerian born Striker is also the first African player to win Serie A’s famous Capocannoniere title, which is presented to the top scorer.
The Nigerian forward is set to return to pre-season training on July 19, as he awaits word on his future.
