Sports Minister Hails Osimhen over Ballon d’Or Feat

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has hailed Nigeria and Napoli FC forward, Victor Osimhen, over his 8th ranking in the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards held in France on Monday night.

Osimhen who became the first African to be crowned Serie A Goal King with 26 goals last season, helped Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in over three decades. He was the most ranked African player in the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Senator Enoh who spoke at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja shortly after watching Super Falcons beat Ethiopia 4-0 (5-1 aggregate) to reach the third round of the Olympic qualifiers, described Osimhen’s feat a moment of pride for Nigeria. 

The Sports Minister added that Osimhen’s achievement will serve as an inspiration to Nigerian youth and a reminder that with talent, hard work, and determination, they can excel on the world stage.

“The Ballon d’Or, a world-renowned accolade, recognises and celebrates the most outstanding football players across the globe. 

“For Victor Osimhen to be ranked 8th among such elite company is a testament to his incredible dedication, skill, and determination,” the Minister noted.

“I applaud Victor Osimhen for achieving this remarkable feat and elevating the name of Nigeria on the global stage. His story resonates with the values of resilience and determination, and he has become a role model for many aspiring talents in Nigeria.”

Senator Enoh further expressed his optimism for Osimhen’s future.

“Victor’s journey in football is far from over, and I believe he has the potential to achieve even greater heights in the coming years. 

“We will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that he and other athletes like him have the opportunity to reach their full potentials.”

Already, Osimhen has been tipped to win the coveted CAF Men’s Player of the Year award when it holds in December in Morocco.