Victor Osimhen: From Lagos Streets to Africa’s Football Royalty

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen from the streets of Lagos, has earned the title of “new king of Africa” by clinching the Footballer of the Year for 2023 at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony on Monday. The 24-year-old overcame strong contenders, including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, to secure this prestigious accolade.

“Winning the CAF Best African Player 2023 is a testament of my hardwork, your love and support. I am so proud of myself for achieving this prestigious award,” Osimhen wrote in a message shared on platform X.

Osimhen, who grew up in the challenging environment of Olusosun in Lagos, expressed his gratitude, saying, “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.” He reflected on his challenging childhood, selling newspapers and bottles of water, and described his situation as being “in the trenches.”

Recalling the hurdles he faced, such as the daily stench from a nearby waste dump, Osimhen revealed his burning desire to succeed against all odds. “As a young boy who had to hawk in traffic almost every day in order to survive the numerous challenges my family and I were facing, becoming a treasure in Africa and world football was a wild dream,” he shared in the message posted on X.

In the same message, he recalls the pain of losing both his parents and how that is something that he is struggling to heal from.

“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 since I was a kid, may their souls continue to rest in peace,” he said.

Osimhen’s outstanding season, contributing 26 goals to Napoli’s first Italian league title in 33 years, makes him the first Nigerian to win CAF’s men’s award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. Emmanuel Adebayor, former Arsenal and Togo striker, applauded Osimhen’s achievement, stating, “What Osimhen has done is incredible.”

Reflecting on his journey, Osimhen acknowledged the rollercoaster of highs, tough lows, and emotions, saying, “The goals and jubilation of victories keep me going even when the critics, hate, and pain of defeats hit me hard in the chest.”

From the dusty streets of Lagos, Victor Osimhen’s rise to the top has been a gradual progression, starting with his standout performance in Nigeria’s victorious 2015 Under-17 World Cup campaign. Despite facing setbacks, including a challenging stint at Wolfsburg and personal tragedies involving the loss of both parents in 2020, Osimhen’s perseverance led to a standout season at Lille, securing a record-breaking transfer to Napoli.

Expressing gratitude to his former coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Osimhen credited him for helping him fulfill his dreams, stating, “Without him, I don’t think I would be standing here holding one of the most prestigious awards in world football.”

As Osimhen emerges as Africa’s new football royalty, there is hope that he can inspire Nigeria to a new era of success. Fans anticipate that his success at the CAF awards could provide the impetus for Nigeria to challenge for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, last lifted in 2013.

With the 2023 Afcon approaching, Didier Drogba, whom Osimhen has acknowledged as his idol, believes Nigeria could be a formidable force, and fans eagerly await the tournament where Osimhen’s impact on the continent could reach new heights.