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Victor Osimhen’s outstanding scoring season with Galatasaray has sparked debate over his suitability for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year award, with some experts dismissing his Turkish league performances as insufficient compared to top European leagues, despite his record-breaking achievements.
Victor Osimhen’s impressive form for Galatasaray has led to debate about his credentials for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year award, but Pulse Sports Nigeria’s managing editor, Oluwajoba Ogunwale, has poured cold water on the growing calls for the Nigerian striker to claim the prestigious gong.
Osimhen, who has taken the Turkish Süper Lig by storm, scored a brace in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final on Wednesday, bringing his season tally to an astonishing 35 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.
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This remarkable haul saw him surpass Mario Jardel’s 24-year-old record for the most goals by a foreign player in a single season for the Lions, cementing his status as a Galatasaray hero.
The 26-year-old’s heroics, including his “Player of the Match” performance in the Turkish Cup final, have ignited discussions among fans and pundits, with many advocating for his inclusion in the CAF Player of the Year conversation.
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Social media platforms, particularly X, have been awash with polls placing Osimhen alongside African football giants like Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi as potential nominees.
However, Oluwajoba, a prominent voice in Nigerian sports journalism, dismissed the notion that Osimhen’s performances in Turkey warrant serious consideration for the award.
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Taking to his X account, Oluwajoba questioned the hype surrounding Osimhen’s candidacy, stating, “What’s Osimhen doing here? Since when did we start awarding CAF Player of the Year to someone playing football in Turkey?”
His comments sparked reply from a fan, who pointed to historical precedent, noting that Ivorian legend Didier Drogba finished third in the CAF Player of the Year voting in 2012 and 2013 while playing for Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, respectively.
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In response, Oluwajoba conceded that Osimhen “deserves a place” in the conversation but maintained that his achievements in the Turkish league are “not enough to win” the coveted award.
Osimhen’s 2024/2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September 2024, he has scored 24 goals in 28 Süper Lig matches, leading the league’s scoring charts, and added six goals in the Europa League and three in the Turkish Cup.
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His 43 goal involvements (35 goals and eight assists) in 39 games have drawn comparisons to Nigerian legends like Jay-Jay Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, who also won the hearts of Turkish fans.
Beyond his club exploits, Osimhen contributed five goals for Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, helping the Super Eagles reach the finals.
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Despite these achievements, Oluwajoba’s skepticism reflects a broader debate about the perceived prestige of the Turkish Süper Lig compared to Europe’s top five leagues, where players like Salah (Liverpool, Premier League) and Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1) ply their trade.
The CAF Player of the Year award, voted on by a panel including CAF’s technical committee, African journalists, and national team coaches and captains, often favours players competing at the highest levels of club and international football.
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Osimhen’s predecessor, Ademola Lookman, won the 2024 award after a stellar year with Atalanta, including a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final and a key role in Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 final run.
While Osimhen’s numbers are undeniable, Oluwajoba’s critique suggests that the context of his performances, in a league considered less competitive, may weigh against him in the eyes of voters.
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Nevertheless, Osimhen’s impact in Turkey, coupled with his international contributions, has kept the debate alive, with fans and analysts divided over whether his remarkable season merits a place among Africa’s footballing elite.
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