Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has been crowned the Golden Boot winner in the Turkish Super Lig.
He scored 26 goals this season as Galatasaray claimed their 25th league title. He was also named the Player of the Season in the Turkish league.
Osimhen registered 37 goals and eight assists in all competitions and helped his side to a domestic double, winning both the league and the Turkish Cup.
The Nigerian forward is widely rated as one of Europe’s finest strikers this season, with top clubs like Al Hilal, Juventus, and Manchester United reportedly eyeing him.
Galatasaray, however, are keen on retaining his services, aiming to build their team around him.
What makes Osimhen’s season particularly remarkable is that it has put him in contention for a second CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
However, he faces stiff competition from other African stars who also had exceptional campaigns—and some might be slightly ahead of him in the race.
Achraf Hakimi is one of those players. The Moroccan fullback finished second to Ademola Lookman in last year’s CAF awards, but this season he looks like a clear favorite.
He played a vital role in Paris Saint-Germain’s quadruple-winning campaign, including scoring in the UEFA Champions League final.
With nine goals and 14 assists, Hakimi’s attacking output is phenomenal for a right-back.
Beyond the stats, his stamina, tactical intelligence, and ability to transition from defense to attack were crucial for PSG all season.
Mohamed Salah is also in the conversation—and deservedly so. He had yet another outstanding season, winning the Premier League, Golden Boot, and Playmaker Award.
The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the league, and finished the season with a staggering 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions. At 32, Salah’s consistency remains unmatched.
He also became the fifth-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, with 186 goals.
Additionally, he was named Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Serhou Guirassy is perhaps the most underrated name among the contenders. The Guinean striker had an incredible season and was instrumental for Borussia Dortmund.
He ended the Champions League campaign as the joint-top scorer, with 13 goals—sharing the Golden Boot with Raphinha.
In the Bundesliga, Guirassy scored 21 goals and had 10 assists across all competitions.
Despite Dortmund’s poor overall form, Guirassy’s contributions helped the club finish strong, going unbeaten in their last eight matches to secure Champions League qualification.
His hat-trick against Barcelona in the knockout stage was a career-defining performance.
All four players had phenomenal seasons, and while they all deserve recognition, the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award will ultimately come down to votes—which may be influenced by individual biases.
Frontrunners for the CAF Men’s Award:
1. Achraf Hakimi – Outstanding contribution from right-back in a historic PSG season. Often overlooked because of his position, but his impact was immense.
2. Serhou Guirassy – Delivered big moments in a struggling team. If he had better service or media hype, his achievements would be even more celebrated.
3. Mohamed Salah – A phenomenal season again, but his underwhelming displays against PSG in the Champions League, the FA Cup loss to Plymouth, and the Carabao Cup final hurt his case.
4. Victor Osimhen – Had a superb campaign, but the Turkish league’s relatively lower profile may affect his chances.
