Victor Ikpeba echoes the possibilities of Osimhen winning African Footballer of The Year award.
Super Eagles legend, Victor Ikpeba is the latest ex-international to have considered Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as a possible winner the 2023 CAF African Footballer of The Year award. Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Osimhen compare to any other African player has been in great form. His performance and goal contribution for Napoli has gained the attention of most top clubs in Europe.
The 24 year-old in the UEFA Champions league on Tuesday night against Eintracht Frankfurt scored his 20th goal in 23 appearances across competitions placing the Italian team in an advantageous position for the second leg.
Ikpeba, who was named African Footballer of the Year in 1997 whilst playing for French Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco, believes Osimhen can win the top accolade.
“Osimhen doesn’t need to win the Africa Cup of Nations to be crowned the African Footballer of The Year for 2023,” Ikeba said on All Nigeria Soccer via African Football.
“If Napoli win the Serie A and they get to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League like the semifinals or the final, he can be the African Footballer of The Year.”
The retired forward pointed out that Egyptian star Mohamed Salah and Senegalese winger Sadio Mane are struggling for form at English giants Liverpool and German champions Bayern Munich respectively.
“Osimhen’s rivals for the award, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane are really struggling at the moment,” Ikpeba continued.
“If you really look at January and February 2023, the African player that is shining the most in European football is Victor Osimhen.
“What a year it takes for not qualify for the World Cup. He has gone back back, he has improved a lot. There’s a lot of urgency in his play, determination, belief,” he added.
“He (Osimhen) is banging in the goals. I think that Victor Ikpeba is a shining light for Nigerian football.
“Ademola Lookman is also doing well in the Serie A – one of the toughest leagues in the world.”
Dare Ogun