Kanu predicts the next Nigerian to win African Footballer of The Year

The two-time African Footballer of The Year has predicted the next Nigerian player to follow in his footsteps.

Nwankwo Kanu has backed Victor Osimhen to end Nigeria’s long wait for an African Footballer of The Year winner.

Incidentally, Kanu is the last Nigerian player to win Africa’s biggest individual honor. He is also the only one from the nation to collect the accolade twice, having won it in 1996 and 1999.

But while it’s been 22 years since Kanu last lifted the prize, the former Arsenal striker revealed he sees light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria in Osimhen after the World Heart Day walk in Abuja this week.

What did Kanu say?

“Osimhen, if you ask me, is the best player in Italy and if any of the current crop of Nigerian players is going to win the African Player of The Year award, it has to be him,” said Kanu, as quoted on Complete Sports.

“He is doing fantastically well in the Italian Serie A that it’s only a matter of time before he rules Africa.

“He is the best player and top scorer in the Italian league now and if he maintains his form, he will win the African Player of The Year award sooner than expected. There are other Nigerian players doing very well in Europe, but Osimhen is presently the best.”

Kanu also urged Osimhen to stay grounded and added the sky will be his limit if he keeps up the hard work.

How is Osimhen doing this season?

The 22-year-old striker has enjoyed a blistering start to the season for Napoli, having scored seven goals in as many games across all competitions.

Osimhen’s four goals in Serie A have helped Napoli climb to the top of the table. The Nigeria international sits in joint-third place in the scoring charts, just two goals behind Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.

He also scored last time out for Nigeria in a 2-1 win over Cape Verde to take his tally to six goals in 10 international appearances.