Okocha names African footballer who deserves to win 2023 CAF Player of the year award

Former Nigeria national team skipper Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has revealed the African footballer that deserves to win the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

The CAF awards will take place on December 11, 2023 at the Movenpick Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco.

The of the evemajor talking point ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony is the choice of who should be named ‘Male Payer Of The Year ‘.

In recognition of their individual performances last season, ten players are on the final shortlist ahead of the awards ceremony In Morocco.

The players on the list are: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Al Ahli), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon, SSC Napoli), Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon, Besiktas), Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain), Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco, Manchester United), Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal), Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco, Sevilla), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, SSC Napoli), Sadio Mane (Senegal, Al Nassr).

Moroccan players dominate the top-ten after an historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run, while current-holder Sadio Mane and Liverpool star Mo Salah get a mention.

There is also, Okocha’s compatriot, Victor Osimhen who was exceptional to help Napoli win the Italian Serie A title for the first time in 33-years.

Osimhen scored 26-goals to finish as Italian Serie A top-scorer.

‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha is one of the most respected former footballers in the country and so shared his thought on the contentious 2023 CAF men’s player of the year issue.

“He[Osimhen] deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season. He deserves it,” Okocha said in a Bundesliga media round table.

The awe-striking city of Marrakech, Morocco will host the 2023 CAF Awards on Monday, 11 December 2023 with the event set to take place at Movenpick Hotel at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT).

The CAF Awards will celebrate the continent’s top achievers in what is expected to be a spectacular affair.

The CAF Awards recognize exceptional performances in both club and national competitions, culminating in the prestigious titles of CAF African Player of the Year in both men’s and women’s categories.

The ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.