Napoli star Victor Osimhen topped Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah for the Best African Player of the Year
On Monday, Liverpool-linked Napoli star Victor Osimhen upstaged Mohamed Salah for the Best African Player of the Year award. Osimhen topped the Serie A scoring chart last season for Napoli, helping the Italian club win the Serie A.
Meanwhile, Salah remained prolific for the Reds despite the struggling campaign for the club last season. Liverpool’s struggles spawned from having too many aged players, past their prime years while Salah maintained his high standards.
The 30-year-old has started the current season with the high productivity expected of him despite the change in responsibilities. The Egypt captain has played much wider at the right flank position instead of cutting inside early when Liverpool attacks.
Salah scored the milestone 200th goal for Liverpool in the Premier League against Crystal Palace during the 1-2 victory. The 31-year-old has scored 14 goals and produced eight assists from 22 appearances in all competitions this season.
Sports Journalist Fabrizio Romano used the social platform X to announce Osimhen as the Best African Player of the Year. The Egypt captain finished as a runner-up, ahead of third-placed Achraf Hakimi to complete the top three.
Though strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League club, Salah remains not for sale. The Egyptian himself remains motivated to compete at the highest level, and Liverpool aims to retain their best-attacking player.
Nevertheless, Liverpool would want to find a suitable long-term replacement for Salah instead of making the mistake that cost them last season. The Reds waited too long before recycling the ageing midfielders and had to risk a mass revamp during the summer.
"Hopefully many more to come." @MoSalah on his 200th goal for the Reds pic.twitter.com/MCZ68eZvTk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 12, 2023
Kopites and football pundits consider the steep rise of Liverpool to the top as a pleasant surprise. A drastic change in the squad usually requires more time to rebuild chemistry and team cohesion.
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Salah is of massive importance and Liverpool needs to be more prepared for that moment. Osimhen is a deserving winner of this year’s award for African Player of the Year. If he sustains his form throughout the season, the 31-year-old Egyptian could become a more formidable contender to win the award.
