Victor Osimhen, who starred for Lille OSC in the 2019-2020 season, helping the team finish fourth in Ligue 1, was honored on Monday evening as CAF’s Male Player of the Year.
Osimhen joined the northern side from Belgian team Charleroi ahead of the 2019-20 season, helping Les Dogues strengthen ahead of their Champions League campaign.
While they were unable to progress from a tough group which included Chelsea and Ajax, Osimhen impressed in every competition that season, netting twice in European play and three times in domestic cups.
He undoubtedly saved his best for Ligue 1, though — when the season was called off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had netted thirteen times in 27 appearances. This number was good enough for joint-fourth in the scoring charts, and he also helped Les Dogues come to within a point of the Champions League places.
His good play that season also saw him win the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, named for the best African player in France, as well as being named the club’s Player of the Season. In winning the former, he followed in the footsteps of former Lille players like Nicolas Pépé, Sofiane Boufal, Gervinho and of course fellow Nigerian Vincent Enyeama.2⃣0⃣years old
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 6, 2019
8⃣goals scored
👑 Top scorer under 21 in Europe's Top 5 leagues@LOSC_EN 's @victorosimhen9 is straight 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/NfWRWFH8ii
His play in 2023 saw him helped Napoli, his current club, to their first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona. On an individual level, he finished top scorer in Italy, and also was named the player of the year in Serie A.
In winning the CAF award, he also follows in the footsteps of Ligue 1 legends like George Weah, Abedi Pele, and Roger Milla. Congratulations Victor!
