The former Bayern Munich defender played a crucial role in the development of the Nigeria international
Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed his delight at seeing Victor Osimhen win the 2023 Africa Player of the Year award, Soccernet.ng reports.
Super Eagles striker Osimhen, on Monday night, became the first Nigerian in 24 years to be named the winner of the continent’s best player award.
The 24-year-old forward beat the duo of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to the prestigious accolade after his goals lifted Napoli to their first Scudetto title in over three decades.
Osimhen also scored a continent-high ten goals during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to secure Nigeria’s spot at Ivory Coast 2023.
Rohr is proud of the new king of African football, and the veteran coach has backed Osimhen to be unstoppable at the AFCON in January.
“I’m so happy that Osimhen got the Africa Best Player Award of 2023 because he truly deserves it after scoring so many goals and playing so well (for club and country),” Rohr told NationSport.
“Of course, with his goals, he can drive the Super Eagles to AFCON victory; he can do that and I hope that he will.”
Rohr played a key role in Osimhen’s career trajectory, as the Franco-German tactician handed the Napoli ace his Super Eagles debut in 2017.
Osimhen was also at the 2019 AFCON, where Nigeria, led by Rohr, finished in third place.
And Rohr is pleased to see Osimhen retain all the attributes that took him from an unknown quantity in a Lagos suburb to the most celebrated footballer on the continent.
“He was 17 when I first saw him and drafted him to the Super Eagles in my very first match with Tanzania and a lot of people were surprised,” Rohr added.
“Again, many were also surprised when I took him to the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, but he showed later all the qualities he has.
“This boy is still the same: humble, working hard, and staying always modest, which is a good sign for a big player (desirous to be the greatest).”
Osimhen will be the biggest star at the AFCON in January, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles, under coach Jose Peseiro, will aim to conquer Africa for the fourth time.
