Nigeria on Monday night at Palais des Congres place, Marrakech in Morocco recapture the prestigious Men’s Player of the year which had eluded the country the country for 24 years and made it a double carting away the Women Title for the 6th time.
Napoli of Italy talisman and Super Eagles Goal Poacher, Victor Osimhen who would have lost the honor for non-appearance but flew late to Morocco completed his resetting prowess to erase the gap after Kanu Nwakwo won it last in 1999 which was 24 years ago. Dedier Drogba had once missed a chance because of none appearance at the Award Ceremony.
Osimhen who missed winning the greatest trophy in the world, Ballon d’or by whiskers was the highest goal scorer at the World U17 tournament in 2015 with 10 goals had helped SSC Napoli to win the 3rd Italian Sccudetto title after 33 years.
He moved from Lille of France to Napoli and equaled George Opong Weah’s 46 goals record in Serie A and is now the first Africa player with the highest score in 2022/23 season.
Osimhen clinched the trophy last won by the Senegalese Captain and former Liverpool FC goal merchant, Sadio Mane by defeating fellow team mate of Mane at Liverpool and Egyptian Captain, Mohammed Sallah as well as Moroccan strong man at the defence at the last World Cup, Achraf Hakim.
The Goalkeeper Men’s award went to Yassine Bounu of Al Hillal and Morocco who defeated Andre Onana of Manchester United and Cameroon while Lamine Camara of Senegal and Metz beat his club and national team mate, Amara Diouf as well as Abdessamad Azzalzoili of Real Betis and Morocco to the Young Mens’ Award of the year.
The man they call BALD HEAD and in Morocco is called Ostrich man because of lack of hair on his head, Walid Regragui who took the first African team to the world cup semifinal for the first time obviously beat Abdelhak Benchika of Simba SC and Aliou Cisse of Senegal to the Best African Mens’ Coach award. 1994 African Player and being touted as the next handler of the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Amunike grinned like a school boy in announcing Africa’s Best Coach.
Morocco stoutly clinched Mens’ National team award ahead of the Scorpions of Gambia and the Terenga Lions of Senegal while the Mens’ Club of the year award went to Al Ahly of Egypt ahead of Wydad Athletic of Morocco and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
By Eniola Olatunji
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