Osimhen Among 30 Nominees For African Player Of The Year Award

Napoli's striking sensation, Victor Osimhen, headlines the list of 30 nominees announced on Wednesday for the prestigious 2022-2023 African Player of the Year award. Osimhen's remarkable achievements, including being the top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals, have earned him this well-deserved nomination. Notably, he also contributed 10 crucial goals during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, including a memorable four-goal performance in a single match. The roster of contenders extends to the stars from the historic Moroccan squad that made waves at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, securing a spot as the first African team to reach the semi-finals. Notable names from the Moroccan team include goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, defender Achraf Hakimi, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, winger Hakim Ziyech, and forward Youssef en Nesyri. Furthermore, African football giants Sadio Mane of Senegal and Mohamed Salah of Egypt, both two-time previous winners of the award, have also made the cut in this illustrious lineup. In a parallel category, the Coach of the Year award, Morocco's Walid Regragui, who took the reins just months before the historic World Cup campaign, is among the ten nominees. These remarkable nominations were assembled by a panel of experts, including CAF technical experts, African football legends, and media representatives, encompassing seven distinct categories. The anticipation for the women's award nominees remains high, with the list expected to be unveiled in the coming days. The grand African Player of the Year awards ceremony is set to take place in the vibrant Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday, December 11, adding another layer of excitement to this year's football calendar.