Victor Osimhen Nominated for 2025 CAF Player of the Year After Stellar Galatasaray Season

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has officially been nominated for the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award, following an explosive season that saw him dominate the Turkish Super Lig while on loan at Galatasaray.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the list of ten nominees on Monday, featuring elite names such as Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Serhou Guirassy, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface. The post, accompanied by CAF’s signature gold-and-black award graphic, has already ignited a wave of excitement across social media — with Nigerian fans particularly vocal about Osimhen’s inclusion.

Osimhen, 26, was a force of nature during his brief but electrifying spell in Turkey, scoring 26 goals in 30 league matches to lead Galatasaray to the 2024/25 Turkish Super Lig title. His performances reignited his reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards after a challenging final year at Napoli, where injuries and managerial turmoil had curtailed his momentum.

Football analysts credit the move to Galatasaray as the perfect reset for the Super Eagles star, whose combination of pace, power, and precision made him virtually unstoppable. “Osimhen’s hunger and consistency this season reminded everyone why he’s a generational striker,” one Turkish pundit wrote on X. “He carried Galatasaray like Drogba once did at Chelsea — with fight, flair, and focus.”

However, the online debate over who deserves the coveted award remains intense. Supporters of Mohamed Salah argue that the Liverpool talisman’s continued excellence in the Premier League should make him the frontrunner, while Moroccan fans tout Achraf Hakimi for his all-round brilliance with PSG and Morocco’s defensive success in international competitions.

Despite the divided opinions, Osimhen’s nomination represents another proud moment for Nigeria, keeping the nation in contention for Africa’s most prestigious football honor. The last Nigerian to win the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award was Nwankwo Kanu in 1999 — over two decades ago — and Osimhen’s resurgence has rekindled hopes of ending that long drought.

With CAF expected to announce the winner at a glittering ceremony in December 2025, the race remains wide open. Whether Osimhen can edge out Salah and Hakimi remains to be seen, but his return to elite form has already restored his standing as Nigeria’s brightest football export.

— Busterblog.com