Former Arsenal and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor says no player other than Victor Osimhen deserves to win 2023 CAF African player of the year award.
Adebayor in a chat with BBC news, stated that, the Nigerian forward is the stand out star in just concluded campaign.
Recalled the Nigerian guided Napoli to first league title in 33 years, and also shattered several African record in Italy, including becomig the first African player to win the Capocannoniere for being top scorer in Serie A.
However Cameroon’s goalkeeper Andrea Onana who had excellent campaign for Inter Milan and Algerian forward Riyard Mahrez, an integral member of Manchester City’s treble winning side are strong candidates for the top accolade.
But Adebayor, winner of the award in 2008 believes Osimhen would be a worthy winner.
“It’s very simple, we have seen the season and for me if you ask me who deserve the 2023 African Player of the Year award, its Osimhen, because of what he has done with Napoli, scoring in all the biggest games in Italy and also winning the Scudetto.
AFP PHOTO/PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
“He has done quite well, who is there (to challenge Osimhen) Sadio Mane was injured and had a difficult season, Mohamed Salah had one of his worst seasons in his career, there’s the guy from Cameroon Zambo Anguissa but the star player in Napoli is Osimhen.
“If you ask me to vote and I am given 10 votes I will give 12 to Osimhen for the 2023 African Player of the Year,” the former Real Madrid man said.
Should Osimhen, 24, win the award, he’ll become the first Nigerian international to do so after Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.
Victor Osimhen netted 26 goals and provided five assists for the Partenopei in the league last season.
