Victor Osimhen, the recently crowned 2023 Africa Player of The Year, has secured another accolade by being voted the Sportsman of The Year by fans and readers of PUNCH Sports Extra. The Napoli superstar outshone contenders such as Asisat Oshoala, Tobi Amusan, and Victor Boniface in a poll where fans expressed that Osimhen’s remarkable achievements warranted the title of the country’s Sportsman of The Year.
Out of 100 votes cast by readers and fans, Osimhen claimed the top spot with 61%, leaving Barcelona Femeni striker Asisat Oshoala in second place with 19%. Tobi Amusan, the women’s 100m hurdles world record holder, secured third place with 14%, while Victor Boniface took the fourth spot with 6%.
The Lagos-born striker, aged 24, has had an outstanding year, dominating headlines with remarkable achievements and establishing himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. Osimhen played a pivotal role in guiding Napoli to their first league victory in 33 years, scoring 26 goals in 32 Serie A games last season and a total of 31 goals across all competitions.
In addition to being named the Italian Footballers’ Association Serie A Player of The Year for the 2022/23 season, Osimhen helped Nigeria qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing the qualification series as the top scorer with 10 goals. He also made history by becoming the first Nigerian player to be named in the Top 10 of the Ballon d’Or, securing the eighth-place position.
The crowning achievement came during the CAF awards ceremony in Marrakech, where Osimhen was named African Footballer of The Year, defeating competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah.
Acknowledging the award, Osimhen expressed gratitude to those who contributed to his success and recognized the support that shaped his career.
Osimhen is also a nominee for the best player award in the men’s category by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics for 2023. The competition includes formidable names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Antoine Griezmann, and others.
The PUNCH Sports Extra poll also recognized Asisat Oshoala, who secured second place. Oshoala played a crucial role in helping Barcelona claim the UEFA Women’s Champions League and achieve an undefeated league victory. Tobi Amusan, the women’s 100m hurdles world record holder, ranked third in the poll.
Victor Boniface, who finished in fourth position, has been a force to reckon with in the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old striker has earned multiple accolades, including the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month and Bundesliga Player of The Month awards. His exceptional performances in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League also contributed to his recognition in the poll.