Victor Osimhen African Player of the Year. The Nigerian striker, Italian champion with Napoli last season and quarter-finalist in the last Champions League, was competing for this award with Egyptian Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi (Paris SG).

Find all the winnersCAF Awards: Nigeria sweeps it all, discover the 2023 winners

"It's a dream come true for me. I would like to thank everyone who has been with me along the way to achieve my dreams and achieve my goals," said the 24-year-old upon receiving his award.

The "Eagles" are flying high today. 🦅🏆

What absolute dominance for Nigerians #CAFAwards2023. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/UC9VN1Iyt6

— CAF - EN (@caf_online_FR) December 11, 2023

The "masked striker", who has scored six league goals this season, scored 26 last season, making a major contribution to Napoli's third title and first since the Diego Maradona era.

Since a brutal shock at the end of 2021 that caused him multiple fractures of the eye socket and left cheekbone, the Nigerian international striker has been playing with a protective mask bearing the VO9 logo, which has become a fetish object coveted by fans.

Osimhen succeeds Senegal's Sadio Mané, who won the award in 2022. The last Nigerian player to be crowned was Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

Sixth title for Asisat Oshoala

Her compatriot Asisat Oshoala, who plays for FC Barcelona, was honoured in the women's category at the same ceremony.

The Super Falcons' star goalscorer, Oshoala, 29, was one of the key pieces of the Nigerian national team that reached the round of <> of this summer's World Cup in Oceania before being eliminated by England on penalties.

For the 6th time! 🤩

Asisat Oshoala is our 2023 Player of the Year! 🤩

WHAT A YEAR! 🔝 #CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/VbnhqEiTpd

— CAF - EN (@caf_online_FR) December 11, 2023

Oshoala has racked up trophies with Barca this season, winning the Champions League, despite missing the final against Wolfsburg due to injury, as well as the Spanish league and Cup.

She competed for the award of best African player with South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia's Barbara Banda.

Morocco, semi-finalists of the World Cup at the end of 2022, saw their coach Walid Regragui awarded the title of best coach of the year while their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was voted best goalkeeper.

With AFP

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