'Hakimi and Salah gave a lot' - Osimhen admits PSG, Liverpool stars also deserved to win African POTY

Victor Osimhen paid tribute to Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan fullback Achraf Hakimi and Liverpool's Egyptian winger Mohammed Salah after he fended off stiff competition from the North African duo to win the CAF African Player of the Year for the first time in his career.

The Napoli superstar became the first Nigerian footballer to win the award in twenty four years, after Nwankwo Kanu, and also followed in the footsteps of previous winners Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike and Victor Ikpeba. 

Osimhen had a remarkable year for club and country with his goals firing Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades and was the top scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with ten goals.

Hakimi also caught the eye, guiding the Atlas Lions to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals, the highest ever finish by an African team at the four-year tournament and won the Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain, registering 5 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances along the way.

Salah registered 46 goals involvements in 51 appearances for Liverpool over the course of last season and also impressed for the Egyptian national team. 

Speaking after receiving the award, Osimhen admitted that Hakimi and Salah also deserved to win the 2023 CAF Player of the Year on the back of their performances for club and country.

"This award is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of football. I feel great that I brought this award back to Nigeria. We have talent," Osimhen stated.

"I was confident that I would win, and I know that Hakimi and Salah gave a lot, and I also gave a lot with my team and the national team, and I deserve this award as much as they do."

Osimhen missed Napoli's training session on Monday, on the eve of their Champions League clash with Braga, and will be monitored on Tuesday morning with a view to his inclusion in the squad for the matchday six tie. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com