Is this Victor Osimhen’s year to clinch the Caf Player of the Year title, or will Mohamed Salah claim his third, leaving Achraf Hakimi also waiting?
Napoli’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is widely seen as a top contender for the African Footballer of the Year award, slated for announcement next Monday. However, he faces stiff competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
Salah, the Egyptian skipper, previously won the Caf award in 2017 and 2018 and was a close second to Sadio Mane in 2019 and 2022. Meanwhile, Hakimi played a pivotal role in Morocco’s impressive journey to the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Osimhen’s recent achievements are notable, being the highest-placed African in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or vote, ranking eighth. His 26 goals last season were crucial in securing Napoli’s first Serie A championship in over three decades.
However, missing out on the award would place the 24-year-old among many renowned African players who have similarly missed out on this prestigious accolade.
Sport Newes Center Africa highlights several other distinguished African players who didn’t secure the Caf award.
Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
Famed as one of football’s greatest dribblers, Okocha was integral to Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and their 1996 Olympic gold. Despite dazzling performances, particularly at the 1998 World Cup, he narrowly missed the Caf award, finishing behind Mustapha Hadji of Morocco.
Okocha was also shortlisted in 2003 and 2004 but finished third both times, despite being the joint top scorer and the standout player at the 2004 Afcon.
Other Nigerian stars like John Obi Mikel and Daniel Amokachi have also been runners-up in the Caf awards.
Michael Essien (Ghana)
Essien, a dynamic midfielder, shone for both Lyon and Chelsea, winning numerous titles, including the Champions League. Despite being a regular Caf award nominee from 2005 to 2009, he only managed second place in 2007.
Ghana’s leading scorer, Asamoah Gyan, and defender Samuel Kuffour also narrowly missed the Caf accolade in their prime years.
Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt)
Central to Egypt’s triple consecutive Afcon wins between 2006 and 2010, Aboutrika’s club success with Al Ahly didn’t translate to a Caf award, though he came close in 2008.
Egyptian striker Hossam Hassan, another significant figure in African football, also missed out on the Caf honor despite his long and successful career.
Benni McCarthy (South Africa)
A Champions League winner with Porto and a top scorer at the 1998 Afcon, McCarthy’s illustrious career surprisingly didn’t include a Caf award nomination.
Christopher Katongo, another southern African star, captained Zambia to an unexpected Afcon win in 2012 but was overlooked for the Caf award, though he did win the BBC African Footballer of the Year.
Seydou Keita (Mali)
Keita, a crucial player in Barcelona’s dominating era under Pep Guardiola, earned significant titles and was a Caf team of the year regular. He was the runner-up for the 2011 Caf award and was instrumental in Mali’s successive third-place finishes at Afcon.
Kalidou Koulibaly, a Senegalese star, has also not received the Caf award despite his impressive performances, including captaining Senegal to the Afcon title.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Caf Awards 2023
Who is the front-runner for the African Footballer of the Year at the 2023 Caf Awards?
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, playing for Napoli, is considered the front-runner for the African Footballer of the Year at the 2023 Caf Awards. He faces tough competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
Has Mohamed Salah won the Caf Award before?
Yes, Mohamed Salah has won the Caf Award twice before, in 2017 and 2018. He was also the runner-up in 2019 and 2022.
What is Victor Osimhen’s notable achievement in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or?
Victor Osimhen was the highest-ranked African player in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or vote, finishing eighth. He scored 26 goals in the previous season, aiding Napoli to win their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Who are some prominent African players who have missed out on the Caf Award in the past?
Notable African players who have missed out on the Caf Award include Jay-Jay Okocha, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, Mohamed Aboutrika, Hossam Hassan, Benni McCarthy, and Seydou Keita.
What role did Achraf Hakimi play in Morocco’s success in the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Achraf Hakimi played a crucial role as a right-back in Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
More about Caf Awards 2023
- Victor Osimhen’s Profile and Stats
- Mohamed Salah’s Career Highlights
- Achraf Hakimi’s Role in Morocco’s World Cup Journey
- Historical Caf Award Winners
- African Football Legends Who Missed Caf Awards
4 comments
Interesting read! kinda surprised to see Essien and Okocha in the list of those who never won. they were legends in their time, shows how competitive African football is…
Salah is a living legend, no doubt. But feels like this might be Osimhen’s year. Still, never count Mo out, the man’s a goal machine. Let’s see what happens at the awards!
Great analysis but there’s a typo, it’s ‘Caf’ not ‘Caf’, pls fix. Also, would’ve loved more stats on Osimhen’s season, like assist numbers, shot accuracy etc.
wow, didn’t realize how many great players missed out on the CAF award. osimhen’s having a stellar year, hope he gets it this time. Salah’s a tough competitor tho.