Victor Osimhen's Remarkable Odyssey: From Lagos Streets to the Title of New King of Africa
In a momentous victory, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen secured the prestigious title of Africa's Footballer of the Year for 2023. The 24-year-old Napoli player was honored at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) awards ceremony on Monday night, triumphing over tough contenders including Egypt's captain Mohamed Salah and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.
Osimhen's remarkable journey from the gritty streets of Olusosun in Lagos to the zenith of African football is nothing short of a dream fulfilled. Born and raised amid the challenges of life as a child, Osimhen expressed his gratitude, stating, 'I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults.'
Growing up amidst the harsh realities of daily life, with the pervasive stench from a nearby waste dump, Osimhen's determination to succeed against all odds was unwavering. His early years were marked by the sale of newspapers and bottles of water, a testament to his resilience and perseverance in what he describes as being 'in the trenches.' This latest accolade is a poignant testament to Osimhen's indomitable spirit and unyielding pursuit of excellence."
"As a young boy navigating the challenging streets, where daily struggles led me to hawk in traffic for survival, the notion of becoming a treasure in African and world football seemed like a distant dream," Victor Osimhen reflected in a heartfelt message shared on X.
"My football journey has been a rollercoaster of highs, enduring tough lows and navigating a spectrum of emotions. The thrill of goals and the jubilation of victories keep me fueled, even in the face of critics, hatred, and the sting of defeats that hit hard in the chest."
After a stellar season that saw him score 26 goals, propelling Napoli to their first Italian league title in 33 years, Osimhen secured the prestigious Caf Men's Footballer of the Year award. This achievement marked a historic moment, as he became the first Nigerian to claim the accolade since the legendary Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Arsenal and Togo striker who clinched the award in 2008, lauded Osimhen's incredible feat, emphasizing the challenges of scoring goals in the defensively and tactically strong Italian league. The recognition extended further, with iconic Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, a two-time Caf Footballer of the Year, dubbing Osimhen as Africa's new footballing royalty.
With these accolades and endorsements, there is growing optimism that Osimhen's prowess could usher in a new era of success for Nigerian football on the continental and global stage.
Victor Osimhen's trajectory to football stardom reached a pivotal juncture during Nigeria's triumphant 2015 Under-17 World Cup campaign, marking him as a destined talent. Despite almost missing selection due to initial oversight, Osimhen's stellar performance in Chile, where he netted 10 goals securing the golden boot, earned him recognition as Caf's Young Player of the Year.
Emmanuel Amuneke, the coach of that remarkable squad, recalled, "I had already overlooked him because he was paired with other players who played badly. But my backroom staff noticed him and drew my attention to him. I gave him another chance, and he proved himself to make the squad." Osimhen, in his post-Caf award acknowledgment in Morocco, expressed gratitude to Amuneke, acknowledging him as a pivotal figure in his football journey.
Osimhen's path has been marked by challenges, notably his move to Wolfsburg in 2017, where he faced initial struggles before finding his footing during a loan stint at Charleroi in Belgium. His subsequent success at Lille elevated his status, leading to Napoli securing his services for a reported $96 million in July 2020, making it one of the highest fees ever for an African player.
However, Osimhen's journey has not been without hurdles. A COVID-19 diagnosis and a facial injury, requiring him to play wearing a protective mask, forced him to miss the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Moreover, the profound personal loss of both his parents in 2020 cast a shadow on his triumphs.
In his poignant reflection on X, Osimhen acknowledged the impact of these challenges, stating, "Losing my dear parents in the course of this journey leaves a scar in my heart as they have always been my major driving force for success." He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, recognizing their unwavering support as a crucial factor in his remarkable journey.
The ascendancy of Victor Osimhen, crowned as the Caf Footballer of the Year in Marrakesh, signals a potential changing of the guard from the reign of Liverpool's seasoned duo, Salah and Mane. Both aged 31, Salah and Mane had monopolized the past four Caf awards, and Osimhen's breakthrough could mark the dawn of a new era.
The emergence of talents like Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) from Ghana, and Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart) from Guinea further exemplifies the rising prowess of the next generation. As Nigeria celebrates Osimhen's recognition, there is hope that this impetus could fuel the national team's resurgence in challenging for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy.
Nigeria's recent Afcon history has seen fluctuations, from lifting the trophy in 2013 to a series of varied performances. The absence in 2015 and 2017, a third-place finish in 2019, and a last-16 exit in the 2021 edition in Cameroon underscore the team's journey. Abuja Football Association chairman, Adam Muktar Mohammed, sees Osimhen's recognition as a significant boost for Nigerian football, emphasizing the need to harness the abundant talent for international prominence.
Didier Drogba, whom Osimhen acknowledges as his childhood idol, believes Nigeria could pose a threat in the upcoming 2023 Afcon in Ivory Coast. The Super Eagles, drawn in Group A alongside hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, are gearing up for the challenge.
In a congratulatory message, Drogba expressed anticipation, stating, "We are waiting for you in January." Should Osimhen lead Nigeria to lift the Nations Cup trophy on February 11 in Abidjan, the acclaim he has received in football-crazed Nigeria will undoubtedly reach new heights.
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