Victor Osimhen scoops award for Africa’s best player playing in France

Victor Osimhen has emerged winner of the Marc-Vivian Foe award, an accolade given to the best African player in the French league.

The Lille star beat the likes of Monaco’s Islam Slimani and Moroccan Yunis Abdelhamid who plays for Reims.

The Nigerian international scored 18 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions helping Lille finish fourth, enough to take them through to the Europa League next season.

Victor Osimhen becomes the 6th Lille player to win the prestigious award since it was created in 2009 – Gervinho (2010 and 2011), Vincent Enyeama (2014), Sofiane Boufal (2016), Nicolas Pépé (2019).

Marc-Vivien is a legendary Camerounian footballer who died after being rushed to the hospital during a 2003 Confederations Cup final match against France.

In honour of the late Camerounian star, the RFI and France 24 media pay tribute to him by awarding a prize to his name, rewarding the best African player of the season playing in the French Ligue One.

The midfielder had different spells with French clubs including Lyon and Lens before making a loan move to Premier League club Manchester City.

Meanwhile, we had earlier reported that Norwich City vs Man United ended 2-1 in favour of the Red Devils in an entertaining fixture that was decided in extra time.

Odion Ighalo had put United ahead in the 51st minute before tod Cantwell drew the home side level in the 70th minute to send the match into extra time.

The likes of Juan Mata, Ighalo, Jesse Lingard, Eric Bailly, and Diogo Dalot returned to United’s starting line up for the crunch game.

We had also reported that Gernot Rohr has explained why he has refused to make use of home-based stars in his Super Eagles squad.

Only Heartland shot-stopper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has been able to break into the German tactician’s squad in the past five years since he became coach of the national team.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the sports ministry have raised eyebrows on Rohr’s decision not to invite players plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional League (NPFL).