Who is the African player of the year 2023?

The evolution of African football in recent years has been nothing short of spectacular. We are no longer witnessing a continent that merely exports talent; we are seeing a dominant force that shapes the global game. From the historic World Cup semi-final run by Morocco to the relentless presence of African superstars in the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, the continent’s influence is undeniable. 

Consequently, the CAF Awards have transitioned from a local celebration into a globally televised event that commands the attention of every major sports network. The nominees are no longer obscure names from minor leagues; they are household icons who command multi-million dollar transfer fees and lead the world’s most famous clubs.

In this deep dive, Livescorecz revisits the electric atmosphere of the 2023 ceremony. It was a year defined by a relentless three-way battle for the crown of African player of the year 2023. The shortlist featured the clinical Mohamed Salah, the defensive maestro Achraf Hakimi, and the explosive Victor Osimhen. 

But do you remember which name was finally called to stand on the highest pedestal of African football? The results of that night did more than just award a trophy; they signaled a change in the hierarchy of the continent’s elite.

The African player of the year 2023 

The 2023 Men’s African player of the year 2023 award was a historic milestone for Nigerian football, as Victor Osimhen ended a 24-year drought for his nation. He became the first Nigerian to claim this accolade since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

To secure this coveted prize, the Napoli striker had to overcome the immense challenges posed by Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi. Since 2023 did not feature a major senior international tournament for men, the voting panel placed a heavy emphasis on domestic performances during the 2022/23 season. In that campaign, Osimhen was a force of nature. He spearheaded Napoli’s charge to their first Serie A title in 33 years, a feat last achieved during the era of Diego Maradona.

Osimhen’s 2022/23 season was legendary. He made 39 appearances across all competitions and plundered 31 goals. In the Italian Serie A alone, he scored 26 goals to win the Capocannoniere, becoming the first African player in history to be the top scorer in the Italian top flight. His goals helped Napoli finish the season with a staggering 90 points, comfortably clear of their rivals. 

Beyond the league, Osimhen led Napoli to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where he scored 5 goals in just 6 matches. On the international front, his dominance continued as he scored 10 goals in the AFCON qualifiers, finishing as the top scorer of that phase.

Meanwhile, in this season, Salah remained a model of consistency for Liverpool, scoring 30 goals in 51 games, but the club failed to secure major silverware that season. Hakimi was instrumental in Morocco's World Cup journey and PSG’s Ligue 1 title, but Osimhen’s individual impact in Italy was deemed superior. 

Osimhen, who joined Napoli in 2020, has since become the face of African excellence in Europe. Having debuted for the Super Eagles in 2017, he has participated in multiple AFCON tournaments. Most recently, at the AFCON 2025, his leadership and presence were vital as he led the Nigerian team to a third-place finish after a victory over Egypt.

The eternal queen of African football 2023 

Asisat Oshoala was named the African Women’s Player of the Year for a record-extending sixth time. Her 2022/23 season with FC Barcelona Femení was a masterclass in efficiency and elite performance. Despite battling various injuries, Oshoala appeared in 28 matches and scored 27 goals across all competitions. Her contributions were vital as Barcelona secured a historic treble, winning the Spanish Liga F, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and the Supercopa de España Femenina.

Barcelona’s dominance in the league was nearly flawless, finishing with 85 points and losing only 1 game. Oshoala’s ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments made her the focal point of the world's best women's team. In the Champions League, she played 9 matches and scored 5 goals, helping her club reclaim the European throne. 

For the Nigerian national team, she remained the primary threat, leading the Super Falcons to the knockout stages of the 2023 World Cup. Her rivals for the award, such as South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana, performed admirably, but Oshoala’s trophy cabinet and scoring rate at the highest level of European football made her the undisputed choice.

Livescorecz.net has just revealed the 2 most outstanding faces of 2023, both hailing from the football-rich nation of Nigeria. Do you agree with the decision of the organizers to crown Osimhen and Oshoala as the kings and queens of the African player of the year 2023? 

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