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December 12, 2023

December 12, 2023December 12, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer Of The Year

Victor Osimhen has been crowned the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his position as one of the top players in the world.
Osimhen defeated Moroccan Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah to win the award.

The accolade on Monday finished off a stellar year for the Super Eagles striker, whose historic win in the royal Moroccan city of Marakesh ended Nigeria's 24-year wait for Africa's top individual honour which was last won by the legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

At the ceremony, Osimhen praised Nigerian icon Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and fans nationwide.

"First and foremost, I want to thank God for everything. "I'd like to thank Mr. Emmanuel Amunike in particular; without him, I don't think I'd be standing here in front of you guys, holding one of the most prestigious awards in world football," he said.

The award recognizes Osimhen's achievements for both his Napoli club and the national squad, where he plays an important role. He led the Italian squad to an unprecedented Serie A triumph, scoring 26 goals in the season to become the league's first African top scorer.

Though Nigeria narrowly missed out on a place in the 2022 World Cup, falling to perennial rivals Ghana, Osimhen's services to the Super Eagles were enormous in the year under review. He led the qualification race for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with ten goals.

Osimhen's inclusion in the 2023 Ballon d'Or was a testament to his efforts to the Serie A team's historic performance. He finished eighth, becoming the highest-ranked African for the year and the highest-ranked Nigerian in the award's history.

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Osimhen, Oshoala Make Final Shortlist Of CAF Awards

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have secured spots in the final three-person list for the CAF Player of the Year awards in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

Osimhen, who emerged as the top scorer in the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, is set to compete with Egypt's Mohammed Salah, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, and Algeria's Riyad Mahrez for the coveted accolade. His notable contributions include finishing as the leading goal-scorer in Napoli's Scudetto-winning season, where he clinched the Golden Boot with an impressive tally of 26 goals.

On the women's side, Oshoala, the reigning African Women's Player of the Year, is in contention alongside South Africa's Thembi Klagtlana and Zambia's Barbara Banda for the top prize. Oshoala played a pivotal role in FC Barcelona's success, netting 21 goals in 28 games to secure the 2022/23 Spanish League title. Additionally, she emerged as Barcelona's top scorer with 27 goals across all competitions, contributing significantly to their retention of the domestic title and triumph in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Oshoala made history as the first Nigerian and female African player to score at three tournament editions.

The award ceremony is scheduled for December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco.

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Bayern Munich Secures Deal For Spanish Talent Bryan Zaragoza

German champion Bayern Munich has successfully agreed to acquire Spanish winger Bryan Zaragoza from La Liga's Granada in the upcoming summer transfer window, as announced by the club on Wednesday.

The agreed-upon transfer fee for the 22-year-old winger is reportedly set at 15 million euros ($16 million), with Zaragoza set to ink a five-year contract that will run until 2029, as confirmed by Bayern Munich. Sporting director Christoph Freund expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Bryan is one of Spain’s up-and-coming players and has been on our radar for a while. He’ll increase our attacking options. We wish him the best of luck with Granada for the rest of the season and look forward to him joining us in the summer."

Zaragoza, who has showcased his prowess by scoring five goals and providing two assists in 14 league matches this season, including a notable double against Barcelona in October, will bring a fresh attacking dimension to Bayern Munich. His impressive performances earned him a debut for the Spanish national team in October, where he contributed as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Scotland.

A product of Granada's youth system, Zaragoza has accumulated valuable experience with 51 senior appearances for the club, finding the net on 10 occasions. As Bayern Munich secures this promising talent, the football world anticipates how Zaragoza's skills will further enhance the team's attacking prowess, marking a significant move in his burgeoning career.

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Author: IFMSPORTS

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