Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, was named the eighth-best in the just-concluded 2023 Ballon d’Or award
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen was spotted arriving at the Morocco International Airport in anticipation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) award night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen's remarkable performance during the 2022-23 season has earned him a place in the top three for the CAF award, where he competes with Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah for the coveted title.
Despite Napoli's crucial UEFA Champions League fixture against SC Braga scheduled for tomorrow, Osimhen was seen arriving in Marrakech for the award ceremony.
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Reports suggest that the 24-year-old received a supportive gesture from his club, allowing him to attend the event despite the imminent match.
Napoli's acknowledgment shows the significance of the award, even as they seek to close the gap with Group C leaders Real Madrid, who hold 15 points.
However, Osimhen is expected to swiftly return to Naples immediately after the event to rejoin his teammates ahead of their upcoming match.
Amid considerable anticipation from football players, legends, and Nigerian football enthusiasts, Osimhen is a strong contender for the award.
Yet, he faces stiff competition from Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, whose contributions to Morocco's semi-final progress in the 2022 World Cup and the quarter-final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament have also earned him acclaim.
Tonight's award ceremony will determine the winner of this prestigious African accolade, capturing the attention of the football world as they eagerly await the announcement.
Morocco will rig this. for their bekin
they didn’t.