Okocha, Osimhen Africa’s soccer king, deserving

Former Super Eagles captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has tipped Victor Osimhen to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club Napoli.

Osimhen, 24, was top scorer in Serie A as Napoli won the Italian league last season for the first time since 1990.

Okocha said Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level has won him the prestigious gong.

“He (Osimhen) deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” remarked the former PSG midfield star.

Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigeria star to win the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.

The CAF Awards ceremony will be staged on Monday, December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

In a related development, Osimhen has yet underlined the importance of collective team’s efforts as he eulogized his Napoli teammates on receiving the Serie A Player of the Year award at the Gran Gal del Calcio held in Milan on Monday.

“The people that know me know that I don’t try to get all the praises to myself. For me personally, I’m a team player, and I believe if I could share this award, I will share it with Kvaratskhelia and the rest of my teammates because we deserve it,” Osimhen said.

“We were instrumental to each other towards last season’s success. This award goes to the rest of my teammates, the ones that are here and the ones that are not here.

“It also goes to Mr Spalletti, De Laurentiis, and everyone that works in Napoli. The fans deserve it, and this award represents the whole of Napoli. I’m proud to win this, and it is the most important thing for me now.”