Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has been named African Footballer of the Year after beating Mohamed Salah to the award at a ceremony in Marrakech on Monday, with compatriot Asisat Oshoala winning the top prize in the women's category.
Osimhen, 24, scored 26 goals as he helped Napoli to a surprise triumph in Serie A last season and was the leading marksman in Italy's top division.
Egypt's Liverpool forward Salah and Morocco's Paris St Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi were the other two final nominees but Osimhen claimed the prize to become the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
'It is a dream come true,' said Osimhen.
'I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults.'
At the recent Ballon d'Or ceremony, Osimhen became the first Nigerian player in history to be named in the top ten with an eighth-placed finish.
Morocco won National Team of the Year in the men's category after their thrilling run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, while their manager Walid Regragui won Coach of the Year.
Nigeria's Barcelona forward Oshoala was the women's African Footballer of the Year for a record sixth time, having battled injury to help her side to the round of 16 at the World Cup in Australia & New Zealand where they took England to penalties.
Nigeria took home the trophy for National Team of the Year, but South Africa's Desiree Ellis won women's Coach of the Year for the fourth time in succession.
Full List of Award Winners:
Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco
National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)
Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
JoyNg01
537
It was a good night for Nigerians at the awards ceremony🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬👑🔥🔥 Congrats Champ💚🤍💚🎉
Doxmang
444
Two Africa 🌹 GOAT 🐐 of the year 🤴🙌💐💯🤝⭐🔥👑 Congrats 👏
AlAzeem
409
Osihmen fans should gather here 🇳🇬❤️
JoyNg01
339
The African Women's Footballer of the Year: Asisat Oshoala 🇳🇬 The African Men's Footballer of the Year: Victor Osimhen 🇳🇬 Nigerian excellence 🇳🇬💚🤍💚
Endlessly88
316
Osimhen thus becomes the first Nigerian in 24 years to win the prestigious award, since former Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth forward Nwankwo Kanu last did so in 1999
sameyj
296
Earned, not given💯💯
JoyNg01
235
it is important to give deserving compliments to the phenomenal African king, Victor Osimhen and incredible Asisat Oshoala. Their feats are genuinely inspiring❣️❣️ Congrats champ 💚🤍💚