The stage is set for a thrilling battle in the highly contested Best African International Award at the Ghana Football Awards. Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, Egypt's Mohamed Salah, Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, and Morocco's Yassine Bounou will be vying for the crown. The quartet's exceptional performances throughout the season have earned them well-deserved recognition on the international stage.
Recognizing excellence and talent – Celebrating the Best African International Award Nominees!@victorosimhen9 (Napoli)@RiyadMahrez22 (Manchester City)@MoSalah (Liverpool)@yassinebounou (Sevilla) pic.twitter.com/0b8FHQjflq
— The Ghana Football Awards (@GF_Awards) June 8, 2023
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria and Napoli
Super Eagles Victor Osimhen's inclusion in the nominees list comes as no surprise; given his remarkable achievements in the 2022/23 Serie A campaign. Leading Napoli to their first league title in over three decades, Osimhen's sensational tally of 26 goals made him the first-ever African player to secure the Serie A top scorer award. His exploits also earned him the prestigious title of Serie A's Best Striker for the season.
Victor Osimhen becomes the FIRST African footballer in Serie A history to win the Golden Boot 👏
The Nigerian striker scored 26 goals this season 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Edun0vMyjx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 4, 2023
Yassine Bounou
Morocco and Sevilla
Completing the quartet is Morocco's exceptional goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou. His exploits for Sevilla, including winning the Europa League and reaching the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semifinals with Morocco, have elevated him to the ranks of Africa's finest goalkeepers. His performances on both the domestic and international stage have earned him widespread praise and recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
🇲🇦 Bounou's penalty stops 🤩 Which is better?#UELfinal x @SevillaFC pic.twitter.com/08XloahNQ1
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) June 2, 2023
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria and Manchester City
Algeria's captain, Riyad Mahrez, emerges as a favorite for the award, with Manchester City, on the verge of an unprecedented treble. Displaying his prowess with 15 goals and 13 assists in a staggering 47 appearances across various competitions, Mahrez has proven to be an integral part of City's relentless pursuit of glory.
🇩🇿 Riyad Mahrez’s trophy cabinet this season:
Premier League 🏆
FA Cup 🏆 🆕
Champions League ❓#Mahrez #FACup #FACupFinal #ManchesterCity #123VivaLAlgerie #LesVerts #Algerie #Alger #TeamDZ #Algeria #Africa #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/zUGBtRjOrv— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) June 3, 2023
Mohamed Salah
Egypt and Liverpool
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian maestro, has rightfully earned his place on the elite shortlist, dazzling the Anfield faithful with his unwavering brilliance for Liverpool. With an impressive record of 30 goals and 16 assists in 51 games, Salah's impact on the grand stage has been undeniable.
Mo Salah broke some incredible records this season:
6️⃣ consecutive opening game goals.
1️⃣5️⃣ most goals scored at Anfield in europe.
3️⃣8️⃣ goals in CL most for an English club.
6️⃣min 1️⃣2️⃣sec fastest hattrick in CL history.
2️⃣0️⃣+ goals in 6️⃣ consecutive seasons.
Scored against… pic.twitter.com/4fZBsDBYHm— David McGrady (@Djmc76) June 10, 2023
The Best African International Award promises an intense battle among these outstanding players. The competition is fierce, with each nominee having left an indelible mark on their respective teams. Their performances have not only earned personal accolades but have also propelled their clubs to new heights.
This is how we roll out Ghana Football Awards this year… pic.twitter.com/rHIxx5fSSV
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) June 5, 2023
As the anticipation builds, football enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the winner. The Best African International award will undoubtedly be a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of these players, who continue to inspire millions across the continent and beyond.
What is Ghana Football Awards?
The Ghana Football Awards is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Ghanaian football players, coaches, and individuals in the football industry. It honors excellence in various categories, such as Best Male/Female Player, Coach of the Year, and Goalkeeper of the Year. The awards are determined through a combination of public votes and expert opinions from a panel of football experts, journalists, and former players. The event aims to showcase the talents of Ghanaian footballers, promote the growth of Ghanaian football, and bring together stakeholders to celebrate the sport.
The celebration of Ghanaian football excellence kicks off soon. The 5th edition of the Ghana Football Awards is ON! pic.twitter.com/XclPWORd9N
— The Ghana Football Awards (@GF_Awards) June 5, 2023
The Ghana Football Awards is a prestigious ceremony in the Ghanaian football calendar, acknowledging outstanding contributions to the sport. It provides recognition for players, coaches, and teams while elevating the profile of Ghanaian football both domestically and internationally. By celebrating achievements and inspiring future success, the awards contribute to the development and promotion of football in Ghana.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago