By Francis Ajuonuma
Newly crowned Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) 2023 Player of the Year, King Victor Osimhen says his success so far in the round leather game has been made possible by the Almighty God
Osimhen, who spoke after been crowned Africa’s Footballer for the year 2023 by CAF and instantly became the first Nigerian male player to win the award after 24 years which was achieved by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999, also gave special thanks to ex-international, Emmanuel Amuneke, whom he said gave him the opportunity to become the player he is today.
“First of all, I want to thank God for everything,” begins Osimhen, whose professional career began with VfL Wolfsburg of Germany in 2017.
“Special thanks go to Mr Emmanuel Amuneke. Without him, I don’t think I’ll be standing here in front of you guys holding one of the most prestigious awards in world football,” the former Lille of French Ligue 1 player added.
Interestingly, when Kanu won it in 1999, former Super Falcons’ forward, Mercy Akide-Udoh also won the women’s award, just as it happened on Monday with Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala.
Reflecting on the 1999 award, Akide-Udoh also hailed the 2023 winners for making the country proud once again, noting that the feat recorded by Nigeria at the awards night is a sign of more success to come in Nigerian football.
“I feel blessed to have been the first woman to win this award back in 1999. Winning it at the same time with a legend and fellow Nigerian like (Nwankwo) Kanu was very special and I think it was the beginning of recognition for women’s football in Africa.
“I am excited that other Nigerians have done it again and I hope that we will see more of this in future. If anybody had told me that it would take so many years before another Nigerian man would win it again, I don’t think any of us would have believed it, but that’s football and God knows best.
“I am proud of all the winners and I hope that as Nigeria has won so many awards tonight, this will be the start of more success for our football, from the AFCON in January to the women winning their own too and then to the FIFA World Cup.”
