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

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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.”

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Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

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Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

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SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

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South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”

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