The Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Mouktar Mohammed, has voiced his support for Victor Osimhen’s candidacy for the African Player of the Year award in 2023.

Osimhen was among the 30 players shortlisted for the CAF African Player of the Year 2023, with the awards ceremony scheduled for December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Speaking to NAN, Mohammed commended Osimhen for his exceptional performance over the year, which has propelled him into the upper echelons of African and global football.

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Osimhen’s remarkable achievement includes securing the eighth position in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or rankings, making him the first Nigerian to be nominated and finish in the top 10 in the male category in 24 years.

The legendary Nigerian footballer, Kanu Nwankwo, previously placed 11th in the 1996 Ballon d’Or rankings and 23rd in the 1999 edition.

By attaining the eighth spot, Osimhen not only set a new record as the highest-ranked Nigerian player in the Ballon d’Or but also as the highest-ranked African player at this year’s event.

Mouktar Mohammed expressed his belief in Osimhen’s candidacy for the African Player of the Year award, citing the striker’s outstanding performance during the 2022/2023 season.

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Osimhen’s 25 league goals played a pivotal role in Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years.

He also secured the Best Striker in Serie A award, surpassing notable contenders from Inter Milan and AC Milan.

Furthermore, Mohammed highlighted Osimhen’s contributions to Napoli’s UEFA Champions League journey, where he scored five goals in six games, propelling the team to the quarterfinals.

The FCT Football Association Chairman noted that Osimhen played a vital role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and emphasized his achievement as the first African player to lead the Serie A scoring chart, surpassing George Weah’s record for the highest number of goals scored by an African in the Italian league.

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However, Mohammed acknowledged that the African awards often involve emotions and unpredictability due to factors like regional divisions and vested interests.

He cited strong competition from players like Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, who won titles with their clubs and excelled in the World Cup.

Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, who secured the treble with Manchester City, presents formidable competition.