Former Nigerian defender, Waidi Akanni has revealed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has no strong competition when it comes to this year’s Africa Footballer of the Year Award.
The 24-year-old, who led Napoli to its first Serie A title in 33 years, scored 28 goals in all competitions last season, including 22 for Napoli in Serie A.
Given the season that Osimhen has had, he is a sure shot to follow in the footsteps of Nigerian greats like Nwankwo Kanu and Emmanuel Amunike in being named the best footballer on the continent.
In an interview with Completesports.com, Akanni stated that he is confident Osimhen will win the next African Player of the Year award.
“You talk about a standout player that made Africa proud in Europe, then the first name that comes to your mind is Victor Osimhen considering his exploits for Napoli and how he guided the team to win the Serie A title.
“He’s sure bet to win it because his goals for both club and country is something that makes him the first choice on the list.
“For me, I think Osimhen has done enough to win the award and should not be denied.”
6 Comments
THAT IS ONE OF THE REASON COACH PASEIRO MUST INVITE OSIMHEN FOR LAST AFCON QUALIFIER AGAINST SAO TOME TO CAPTAIN THE TEAM AND TOGETHER WITH YOUNG AGGRESSIVE PLAYERS THAT WILL GIVE OSIMHEN ENOUGH PASSES TO SCORE MORE GOALS IN OTHER TO BECOME AFCON QUALIFIER HIGHER GOALSCORER.
OSIMHEN ACHIEVEMENT THIS SEASON:
** ITALIAN SERIE”A” LEAGUE WINNER
** ITALIAN SERIE”A” LEAGUE TOP SSORER
(Golden Boot Winner)
** AFCON QUALIFIER TOP SSORER
WITH ALL THIS ACHIEVEMENT,
NOoooo RIVALLLLLL
Yes I agree with you brother.Nobody is having the achievements osimhen has gotten recently. I think he deserve to receive this award.Osimhen has really done well.
He should also be in the running for the Ballon D’or, together with Mbappe, Messi, and Haaland.
These are the 4 main Ballon D’or contenders in my opinion.
Hmmm
Opinions should definitely be respected.
And I like Victor Osimhen a lot but isn’t that a bit far-fetched?
Not playing at the World Cup could be an impediment but on personal stats, he did enough to win it. He broke several records in Italy. The competition will be tough with Salah, Mane,Hakimi and Bono (Morroco keeper). Good luck to our own Victor
I really don’t think it’s far fetched. A striker scores a truckload of goals, breaking legend George Weah’s record in the process, and helps a relatively small club such as Napoli win the Italian league after a 33 year wait. That alone makes him a contender for me. Add to that his aggressive, high quality displays on the pitch. Not to mention his international goal haul. Mind you, I didn’t say he was sure to win. I said he would be a contender. Look around the football world. The only competition I see for him are the lads I mentioned above. For me, Bono and Hakimi did really well, but not enough to be considered as competition to these 4 guys. Modric is another guy that did well, but again also not enough in my opinion. Kane, De Bruyne, Gundogan also fall into this category.
If Osimhen is nominated for the Ballon D’or it would not surprise me at all. It would be a well deserved nomination. This is not about him being a Nigerian. If he was from Timbuktu, I would have the same opinion.