{"id":4914,"date":"2023-03-21T10:41:37","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T10:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kick442.com\/?p=4914"},"modified":"2023-03-21T14:21:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T14:21:34","slug":"osihmen-choupo-others-in-intriguing-2023-african-footballer-of-the-year-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kick442.com\/fr\/osihmen-choupo-others-in-intriguing-2023-african-footballer-of-the-year-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Osihmen, Choupo, others in intriguing 2023 African Footballer of the year race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With perennial winners of the CAF African Footballer of the Year Award- Egypt\u2019s Mohamed Salah, Sadio Man\u00e9 of Senegal and Algeria\u2019s Riyad Mahrez not enjoying their best of seasons; the trio having shared the top spots among themselves since 2016, Nigeria international and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen is set to break their monopoly.<\/p>\n<p>Scoring for free in a league as difficult as the Italian Serie A is a herculean task, but Victor Osimhen continues to do that week-in-week-out as he sets his sights on the Africa Footballer of the Year Award.<\/p>\n<p>With the form of the Serie A top scorer, nobody would want to bet against him winning the CAF top prize, last won by a Nigerian in 1999-Nwankwo Kanu.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Victor Osimhen: African Footballer of the Year 2023?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Having scored 18 goals for Lille during the 2019\/2020 season, the Nigerian international attracted interest from Italian club Napoli in the summer of that 2020 which earned him a \u20ac75 million (50 billion FCFA) move.<\/p>\n<p>Despite struggling with injuries and COVID-19, the striker managed 10 goals in his first season with the Partenopei and then hit 18 goals in 32 matches in all competitions last season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Victor Osihmen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Osimhen has already netted 25 goals in 29 matches in all competitions so far this campaign, and Napoli are now on course to win the Scudetto again after over three decades. Napoli is already way ahead of others and no doubt, Osimhen\u2019s goals have given the club a glimmer of hope in their quest for the Serie A title. Victor Osimhen is the favourite to finish as the Italian Serie A\u2019s top scorer. If achieved, it will make him the first African player to reach that height. That would be an awesome achievement considering some of Africa\u2019s greatest ever players \u2013 including George Weah and Samuel Eto\u2019o \u2013 have previously starred in the Italian top flight.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4920\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4920\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4920\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113624-300x192.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113624-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113624-768x491.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113624-750x480.jpg 750w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113624.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Victor Osihmen<\/p><\/div>\n<p>With no African Nations Cup or World Cup competitions, Victor Osimhen is even more favourable to emerge winner of the African Footballer of the Year in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>In 1997, Victor Ikpeba, then at AS Monaco, emerged as the best Player in Africa having not featured in an African tournament.<\/p>\n<p>The AFCON tournament that was set for this year was postponed till 2024 and Ikpeba has advised the 24-year-old to keep his form at Napoli to stay ahead. Speaking on Supersport\u2019s magazine show, Monday Night Football, Ikpeba said, \u201cOsimhen doesn\u2019t need to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be crowned the African Footballer of The Year for 2023. If Napoli wins the Serie A and they get to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League, like the semi-finals or the final, he can be the African Footballer of The Year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Nations Cup and the World Cup was last year so it shouldn\u2019t factor in much, Osimhen has won individual awards already and he currently is the best African player.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRemember that there is no AFCON this year so it makes Osimhen have a strong case especially if Napoli wins the Serie A. In 1997 when I won (African POTY award), there was no AFCON so I was judged based on my performance at my club side. So, he just needs to remain focused and keep doing what he\u2019s doing because he has a huge chance to win the award.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Also, the 24-year-old already has 5 goals in the on-going 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, including four in Nigeria\u2019s 10-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe. The former VFL Wolfsburg striker will play a very crucial role for the national team in their quest to qualify for the tournament billed to be held in the Ivory Coast in January 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Osimhen\u2019s excellent form in Italy also suggests that PSG\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and Manchester City\u2019s Erling Haaland are no longer the sole heirs to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as perennial winners of the Ballon d\u2019Or. Osimhen struck his 100th professional goal, which he achieved in 197 games. Incredibly, that is faster than it took Lionel Messi (210 matches) and Cristiano Ronaldo (301 games) to reach their first century of goals. Winning the Ballon d\u2019Or and becoming its first Nigerian recipient, though, will require more than just scoring goals. It must also involve winning titles.<\/p>\n<p>Osimhen has the talent, hunger, and desire to win it all \u2013 individual and collective honours \u2013 and the stars appear to be aligning in favour of the Super Eagles forward following his performances for the Neapolitans in Italy and Europe.<\/p>\n<p>But who are the biggest stars who can rival Osimhen and possibly even beat him to the award in 2023?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Which African star can win the 2023 African Football of the Year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sadio Mane<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The current holder of the award, Sadio Mane, has enjoyed a near-seamless integration at Bayern Munich and will likely win the Bundesliga in his first season in Germany.<\/p>\n<p>But with 11 goals and five assists in 28 appearances, the 30-year-old is not even the best player in Munich.<\/p>\n<p>And with injury keeping him out of the 2022 World Cup, Mane\u2019s chances of winning the CAF top award is already diminished.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mohamed Salah<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Despite scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 appearances, Salah has performed below his usual high standards.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4734\" style=\"width: 285px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4734\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4734\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/download-43.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4734\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mohamed Salah<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Egyptian forward is facing a barren campaign, with Liverpool out of the Premier League race and the Reds already out of the Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>Salah remains a favourite among voters, but it would be hard to claim his third POTY award on the back of his indifferent displays this term.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Riyad Mahrez<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Manchester City\u2019s Riyad Mahrez completes the list of the usual suspects.<\/p>\n<p>2023 could be the year the Algerian magician finally adds another CAF African Footballer of the Year award to the one he won in 2016.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4916\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4916\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4916\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-750x938.jpg 750w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644-1140x1425.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112644.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Riyad Mahrez<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The 32-year-old winger has managed 12 goals and seven assists already this season. And should Manchester City retain the Premier League and reach the latter stages of the Champions League, Mahrez would be the biggest stumbling block to Osimhen\u2019s podium finish at the CAF awards.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Achraf Hakimi<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, Morocco could have one or two of their biggest stars in the shout for the continent\u2019s best player award.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4915\" style=\"width: 265px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4915\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4915\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-255x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"255\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-255x300.jpg 255w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-870x1024.jpg 870w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-768x904.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-750x883.jpg 750w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457-1140x1342.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_112457.jpg 1284w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 255px) 100vw, 255px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Achraf Hakimi<\/p><\/div>\n<p>That Moroccan team had several standout performers, including goalkeeper Yassine Bono, midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, and defender Achraf Hakimi.<\/p>\n<p>Backed by PSG exploits in France, right-back Achraf Hakimi could, however, be the only one nominated for the top honour. With four goals and five assists in 32 appearances already this season, 8th placed Hakimi in the 2022 awards could hope for a place on the podium finish if voters consider the World Cup achievements added to Ligue Un success.<\/p>\n<p>The 24-year-old played a very important role for his side and even scored the winning penalty against Spain in the Round of 16. Hakimi was rewarded for his outstanding 2022 season with his club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and his odyssey into world cup history with the Moroccan national squad bagging the Best Arab Sportsman in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thomas Partey<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Ghanaian international has been one of the best African players in Europe&#8217;s English Premier League. He has represented his country in three Africa Cup of Nations (2017, 2019, and 2021) and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Thomas joined Arsenal in 2020 and has appeared in 92 games, scoring five goals.<\/p>\n<p>Ghanaian midfielder Partey has been instrumental to the recent success of Arsenal as the English Premier League table topper. The 29-year-old has risen to the occasion after suffering an injury that kept him out of the in-form Gunners side.<\/p>\n<p>According to Statsperform, Partey averages 66 passes per match, with a pass completion rate of 87 per cent so far this season. He has a starting eleven participation of 75% in the EPL, having played 74% of EPL minutes with a goal participation of 5% in the EPL. If Arsenal do win the Premier League this year, Thomas Partey will surely be on the voter cards for African Footballer of the year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mohammed Kudus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mohammed Kudus certainly has the right to dream this season. The former Right to Dream Academy Ghanaian player is having an excellent season with Ajax Amsterdam. A two-time Dutch champion winner and Dutch cup winner since his arrival in the Netherlands in 2020, team and individual accolades have been ever present for the young forward. After being labelled a promising talent following his transfer to Danish club Nordsjaelland, 2022\/2023 is the season which promise has transferred to reality.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4934\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4934\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4934\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-75x75.jpg 75w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753-1140x1140.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230321_113753.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4934\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mohamed Kudus<\/p><\/div>\n<p>With 18 goals and 5 assists in 36 appearances for his club this season, he has started attracting the kind of attention deserving of the status of the club where numerous promising starlets have been transformed to good players before moving on to world-class status. Expect Kudus in the CAF team of the year at all costs!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vincent Aboubakar<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Vincent Aboubakar had a memorable World Cup tournament. Catalyst for the turnaround against Serbia when Cameroon was being led 1-3, reminiscent of former legend Roger Milla, the striker entered the fray in the 55th minute and eight minutes later scored one of the memorable goals of the tournament after rounding up a defender and chipping an exquisite ball over goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1155\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1155\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1155\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-750x423.jpg 750w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846-1140x644.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/20221223_153846.jpg 1240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1155\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vincent Aboubakar scored a beautiful chip against Serbia<\/p><\/div>\n<p>He then provided the assist for in-form Bayern Munchen striker, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, three minutes later, who scored the equaliser. But the Cameroon icon who illuminated fans in the AFCON with his 8 goals wasn&#8217;t done yet. Against tournament favourites Brazil, he scored another milestone goal for Cameroon. The current Besiktas forward is on 3 goals and one assist in seven appearances (plus 4 goals and 2 assists in 12 appearances for Al Nassr). Despite coming in at 10th place in the 2022 event, hopes are higher this year for a top-five finish.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stating the obvious that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is in the form of his life would be an understatement. With 17 goals and 4 assists in 26 appearances, Choupo-Moting has earned himself a contract extension with Bayern while relegating Robert Lewandowski\u2019s past exploits to be momentarily forgotten. With Bayern still active in three competitions this season, and Choupo-Moting placed as the central striker in a 4-2-3-1 tactical set-up, there\u2019s no denying that Julian Nagelsmann\u2019s team are favourites for all three competitions this season. The forward who has a litany of free transfers in his expansive football career has a burgeoning trophy cabinet of nine trophies. Can he finally win the lacking individual trophy at the expense of Victor Osimhen at the twilight of his career?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4855\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4855\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4855\" src=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gettyimages-1445265571-612x612-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gettyimages-1445265571-612x612-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kick442.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gettyimages-1445265571-612x612-1.jpg 612w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4855\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">AL WAKRAH, QATAR &#8211; NOVEMBER 28: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Cameroon celebrates after scoring their team&#8217;s third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia at Al Janoub Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Buda Mendes\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 African Footballer of the Year was officially crowned. The African continent has been a serious hotspot of talented footballers through the years. Despite the lack of exposure in their home continent, many footballers have moved to Europe and made their mark in the European Leagues for many big clubs.<\/p>\n<p>New Bayern Munich signing Sadio Mane took home the award for 2022 edging out former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.<\/p>\n<p>Mane also took the African Footballer of the Year in 2019 when the award was last handed out before the COVID-19 pandemic having finished runner-up to Salah in 2018 and 2017. Sadio Mane became the 10th player to win the African Footballer of the Year award more than once.<\/p>\n<p>The honour is now judged based on accomplishments over the past season rather than a single calendar year.<\/p>\n<p>It was a 2021-22 campaign to remember for Mane whose penalties saw Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup even though he didn&#8217;t feature in Qatar due to injury.<\/p>\n<p>At club level before moving to Germany, Mane helped Liverpool to FA Cup and Carabao Cup success, though the Reds did fall short in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>The award in its current format has been handed out by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. Prior to the African Footballer of the Year award, the Golden Ball award was presented by France Football magazine from 1970 to 1994.<\/p>\n<p>Samuel Eto&#8217;o and Yaya Toure currently hold the record for most African Footballer of the Year wins having taken out the honour four times.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Winner<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2022\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadio Mane<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadio Mane<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2018\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mohamed Salah<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2017\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mohamed Salah<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2016\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riyad Mahrez<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2015\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2014\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yaya Toure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yaya Toure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2012\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yaya Toure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yaya Toure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sameul Eto&#8217;o<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2009\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Didier Drogba<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2008\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emmanuel Adebayor<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2007\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frederic Kanoute<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2006\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Didier Drogba<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2005\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samuel Eto&#8217;o<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2004\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samuel Eto&#8217;o<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2003\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samuel Eto&#8217;o<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2002\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Hadji Diouf<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2001\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Hadji Diouf<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2000\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patrick M&#8217;Boma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1999\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nwankwo Kanu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1998\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mustapha Hadji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1997\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Victor Ikpeba<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1996\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nwankwo Kanu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1995\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Weah<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1994\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emmanuel Amunike<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1992\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abedi Pele<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Copyright 2023\u00a9kick442.com<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written in whole or in part, without the written permission of our management.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>This site is not responsible for contents displayed by external sites<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With perennial winners of the CAF African Footballer of the Year Award- Egypt\u2019s Mohamed&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4922,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[140,39,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afcon","category-african-football","category-football"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - 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