Sports

Former Super Eagles star, Amunike tips Osimhen to win African Footballer of the Year 2023

Published

1 month ago

November 4, 2023

Victor Osimhen is back with a bang (Photo Credit: Napoli FC)

Former Nigerian star, Emmanuel Amunike has tipped Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen to win the 2023 African Player of the Year after the Super Eagles forward finished eighth in the 2023 men’s Ballon d’Or list.

Amunike, himself a former winner of the African best player award in 1994, believes Osimhen has done enough to win the gong last won by a Nigerian player in Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

But to win the award, the 24-year-old Osimhen will have to fend off competition from 30 of Africa’s top players including Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Andre Onana, and other top stars on the continent.

But Amunike, who was instrumental to the discovery of Osimhen, believes his protege has what it takes to pick the award this year following his 8th place finish in the Ballon d’Or ranking, after an outstanding season in the Serie A where h he scored 26 goals to help Napoli win their first Italian title in 33 years.

“We hope he wins the CAF award with what he has done for his club and the national team,” Amunike, a former Barcelona star, said in an interview with BBC Africa Sports.

“Regardless of not playing at the World Cup held in Qatar last year, he has been able to establish himself as a worthy contender,” the Afcon winner said.

“There is no doubt about his character, in terms of his desire and zeal to achieve something, succeed and win.”

Amunike, who discovered Osimhen during an under 17 tournament, said his zeal and enthusiasm endeared the young forward to him.

“As a coach at youth level, that was something that made me admire him. That is one of the best attributes for a player to make it to the highest stage.”

Related Topics:Africa Footballer of the Year Award Emmanuel Amunike Featured Super Eagles Victor Osimhen

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Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

11 mins ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.

Sports

CAF Award: Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi make fiinal three shortlist

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In-form Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has made the final three-man list for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award which will hold on December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who had a sterling last season where he led Napoli to its first Italian league title in 33 years with 26 goals to end as the first African player to win the top scorer award in the Serie A, will battle for the crown with Egyptian captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG in the French Ligue One.

Many football pundits in the continent have so far tipped the Lagos-born Osimhen to pick the diadem ahead of Salah and Hakimi.

The latest to give the gong to the former Lille player was mercurial ex-Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who believes Osimhen has done enough to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club and the Eagles.

In an interview on Wednesday, Okocha said the 24-year-old Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level had won him the prestigious gong already.

“Osimhen deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” the former PSG midfield star said in the interview.

If Osimhen goes ahead to win the award, he will be the second Nigerian player to achieve the feat after Nwankwo Kanu who won the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.