By Sulaimon Jamiu
Despite his stellar performance for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Napoli this season, Victor Osimhen didn’t make the nominees’ list for the 2022 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
On Thursday, CAF unveiled the nominations for the different award categories, and to the shock of many Nigerians, Osimhen wasn’t listed for the coveted ‘Player of the Year’.
The only Super Eagles player featured in the 30-man strong list was fast-rising FC Nantes winger, Moses Simon, who led Nigeria to three wins from three games at the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Reacting to Osimhen’s snub, Nigerians have taken to popular microblogging platform, Twitter to share their thoughts over the development.
@AsiwajuLerry said: “Victor Osimhen, Serie A’s Young Player of the Year, was not nominated for CAF Player of the Year. And, before you say he didn’t play in the AFCON, why isn’t Thomas Partey, who led his country to the World Cup, on the list as well? Everything in Africa is suspect.”
@TInyhunta stated: “Stop publicly degrading the African continent. Osimhen did not compete in the Afcon, which is reason enough to leave his name off the list. That is how significant the Afcon is!”
“Very bad, despite his superb performance in serie A,” tweeted @MOdJosh.
“There is controversy in every list and award, not just Africa,” said @MUTDvibes.
“Afcon or not, osimhen is in top 10 Africa best even the Afcon qualifiers he played he was available for, was the highest goalscorer,” tweeted @Football huncho.
