Williams blames Nigeria’s poor results for Osimhen’s omission
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Kojo Williams, former Nigerian Football Federation official, says Nigeria’s poor results explain Victor Osimhen’s omission from the 2026 African Player of the Year shortlist. He cites failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 AFCON, according to Punch.
Former Nigerian Football Federation president Kojo Williams attributes the omission of Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian Galatasaray striker, from the list of 10 finalists for the 2026 African Player of the Year award to Nigeria’s results on the international stage, Punch reports. He believes the Super Eagles’ elimination from the 2026 World Cup and their failure to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations weakened their candidacy for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.
Osimhen nevertheless scored four goals at the 2025 AFCON and contributed to Galatasaray’s Turkish league title, according to Punch. Williams acknowledges the striker’s performances, while also believing that a player’s club profile and the level of the league in which they play can influence the selection.
CAF’s men’s shortlist includes Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa, Punch reports. Williams recalls that Osimhen won the African Player of the Year award when he was playing for Napoli.
