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Nigeria's 24-year wait for a CAF Men's Player of the Year winner finally came to an end on Monday night, with Victor Osimhen standing tall as Africa's undisputed best
Good things come to those who wait, but how long of a wait is too long? Certainly, for a nation of Nigeria’s pedigree and standing within African football, 24 years has seemed like an eternity, especially considering that comparatively modest nations like Mali, Togo and Gabon have been represented on the throne since Nwankwo Kanu was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year in 1999.
It has not been for a lack of effort. Jay-Jay Okocha and John Mikel Obi had cause, in their own minds at least, to feel hard done when they were passed over – 10 years apart – for Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure respectively, and Vincent Enyeama’s historic year in 2014 could and probably should have been accorded greater relevance.
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These three are certified in the pantheon of Nigeria’s footballing greats, but it has fallen to Victor Osimhen, Azor Ahai, to bring an end to the Long Night, wielding a sword close to 3000 days in the making, triumphant in his return from rending Italy to shreds. It was always going to take someone truly special to bear not only the weight of history, but of prophecy: in the masked assassin of Olusosun, Nigeria – and Africa – have a real one.
The path was far from gilded, even taking into account the sterling first impression Osimhen made eight years ago when he ran roughshod over the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, setting a record for goals that endures still. It seemed then that the world was at his feet, but upon joining Wolfsburg, the initial attempt at a quench left him broken both mentally and physically, prompting a longer, more thorough forging process.
The scenic route – Belgium, with modest Charleroi – was less glamorous, dogged by yet more potholes, but in the flame Osimhen’s vision remained true, reinforced by the experience of sharing a stage with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang in Abuja in 2015. “I remember in 2015, when I won the (CAF) Youth Player of the Year (award),” he told Pulse Sports. “I saw the winner (Pierre Emerick Aubameyang) walk up to the podium to receive it (the CAF POTY award). Since then, for me, it became a dream to try to be there and win something as prestigious as that.”
It has taken under a decade, and here he stands, atop the pile having brought glory once more to two proud peoples either side of the Mediterranean. In order to slake Nigeria’s thirst, he first had to slake Napoli’s, ending a three decade-long title drought with a rain of goals and the uncontainable force of deity. And so it was that, on the same altar where the Parthenopeans worshipped the D10S, they venerated Osimhen, his incarnated son sent to restore the kingdom to Naples.
Over on this side, he is widely considered a reincarnation, the dead spit of the late, great Rashidi Yekini first in gait, then in relevance, and now in continental acclaim. The “goalsfather” was Nigeria’s first ever winner of the CAF Player of the Year award, and so absolute was his grip on the nation’s attacking fortunes that it seemed the likes of him would never be seen again.
Here, though, is Osimhen with the same length of limb and stride, the same devastating potential in opposition penalty boxes, the same hold – for better or worse – over the Super Eagles’ competitive potential and, now, the most exalted individual bauble in African football.
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However, where Yekini’s felt like a culmination, it appears Osimhen has a world of tantalising possibility open to him still. There are yet many lands to conquer, this mountain summit only affording him a better view of the realm. Kanu and Victor Ikpeba won Olympic gold, Yekini and Emmanuel Amuneke – who coached Osimhen at under-17 level – won the AFCON, Kanu won the CAF POTY award twice, and lifted the UEFA Champions League. It may seem churlish to already be looking ahead, but the wheel of greatness never stops turning, and with it comes opportunity.
“I want to write my own story, create a special legacy,” Osimhen told World Soccer for their December issue. “I appreciate the comparisons and it’s an honour to be seen as the ‘next this’ or ‘next that’, but I’m Victor Osimhen, no one else. There is so much more to come from me. I’m ready for it.”
So are we, Victor. So are we.
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