Victor Osimhen crowned African Men’s Player of the Year for 2023 after firing Napoli to Scudetto as Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala picks up Women's award for SIXTH time

Napoli striker Osimhen picked up this year's gong at the awards ceremony in Marrakesh on Monday, beating out Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to become the first Nigerian to claim this accolade since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

Fellow Nigerian forward Oshoala retained the women's award to claim a record-extending sixth prize for the Barcelona ace. She edged out South Africa and Racing Louisville's Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia and Shanghai Sengli's Barbara Banda.

Osimhen, 24, scored 31 goals in 39 matches for the Italian side last season as they won their first Serie A title since 1990 and Oshoala, 29, scored 27 goals for the Spanish outfit in their treble-winning 2022/23 campaign as they claimed the league, the Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana Femenina. They have been huge assets for Nigerian football and will inspire future generations to try and follow in their footsteps.

At the Confederation of African Football (Caf) awards, Morocco boss Walid Regragui won the men's coach of the year, and South Africa manager Desiree Ellis won the women's prize.

Osimhen's Napoli take on Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Oshoala's Barca travel to Rosengard in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday.