Victor Osimhen has expressed confidence he will be named Africa’s best player for 2023.
The CAF Awards ceremony will be staged in Rabat, Morocco, on December 11.
Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigeria star to be crowned African football king in 1999.
Napoli striker Osimhen is one of four nominees for this year’s CAF Award along with Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria) and Yassine Bounou (Sevilla/Morocco).
The Super Eagles star striker scored 26 goals to finish Goal King in the Italian Serie A, the first time an African will achieve this feat.
His goals also helped Napoli win the Scudetto after a 33-year wait.
He also finished top scorer in the qualifying tournament for the 2023 AFCON with 10 goals.
In addition, Osimhen has got his first nomination for the prestigious Ballon D’or.
“It (would) mean a lot, a whole lot to me (to win the award),” he said.
“I remember in 2015, when I won the (CAF) Youth Player of Year (Award), you know I saw the winner (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) walk up to the podium to receive it (best player award).
“Since then, for me, it became a dream to try to be there and win something as prestigious as that.
“I think now I have a huge opportunity to actualise this dream. I’m really looking forward to it, and hopefully, it comes home.”
