Kanu tips Osimhen for African Player Award

Former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, has tipped Napoli of Italy forward, Victor Osimhen, as the next Nigerian player to win the African Player of The Year (APOTY) award.

Kanu, a two-time winner of the award in 1996 and 1999, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the ‘Walk With Kanu’ event, organised to mark 2021 World Heart Day, by the Kanu Heart Foundation.

The former Ajax of Amsterdam and Arsenal striker who passed a vote of confidence on the Napoli striker said the former FIFA U17 World Cup winner is well ahead of his peers at the moment and can win the African Player award for Nigeria again if he keeps his head and maintain his current form.

“I see in Osimhen, the next Nigerian that will win the African Player of the Year Award that if he continues in his fantastic form because for now he is unstoppable,” Kanu, FA Cup winner with Arsenal and Portsmouth said.

Kanu also said the present crop of players in the Eagles have what it takes to attain glorious heights in the game both in Africa and globally.

According to Papilo as he is fondly called by his admirers, the present set of Eagles can do more than what the class of 1994 and 1996 set achieved for Nigeria in global football.

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He said, “The Super Eagles will keep on flying. Winning the Nations Cup or AFCON, requires a step-by-step process that must be strictly followed. Those who are expecting the Super Eagles to get to the semi-finals of the World Cup or win it should stop putting unnecessary pressure on the team.”

He however charged the Gernot Rohr-led technical crew to push the boys further as they can do more than what they are doing presently.

Notable Nigerians and who graced the occasion to support the Arsenal legend included 2013 AFCON Golden Boot winner, Emmanuel Emenike, comedian Ayo Makun among others.