Victor Osimhen, who was placed eight at the recent Ballon D’or has been widely tipped to claim the 2023 Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s player of the year trophy.
The former Wolfsburg and Lille striker is on the 30-man long-list for the award alongside Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi, who plays for French giants Paris St-Germain.
He also finished as the top scorer in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with 10 goals.
The winner will be announced next month at a ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, and could see Osimhen become the first Nigerian to clinch the honour since former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
“We hope he wins the Caf award with what he has done for his club and the national team,” said Amuneke, who was himself named the African player of the year in 1994.
“Regardless of not playing at the World Cup [held in Qatar last year], he has been able to establish himself as a worthy contender.”