Nigerian striker and current Série A best forward Victor Osimhen adds another feather to his Illustrious hat after bagging another honor, this time, off the pitch, with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the outgoing President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Muhammadu Buhari.
The 24-year-old was honored by the President following his immense contribution to the beautiful game of football for his club and country, since making his senior professional debut in 2017.
The prolific striker isn’t a newbie to honorarium since his age-grade level days, after winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015 with the Golden Eaglets, then clinching the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations with the Dream Team the same year.
His outstanding performance on the global stage in 2015 did not go unnoticed, as Osimhen broke a long-standing record of most goals in a single tournament by scoring 10 times, surpassing both Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle and Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly who had 9 each.
The feat earned him the 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year Award.
Two years on, Osimhen moved abroad for greener pastures from home soil club Ultimate Strikers Academy, playing for VFL Wolfsburg in Germany, RSC Charleroi in Belgium, LOSC Lille in France, then SSC Napoli in Italy, where he’s just grabbed the Italian Scudetto.
Osimhen’s career continues to blossom as he’s on course to add to his growing list of honors by being in pole position to clinch the Italian Série A Golden Boot, and possibly the League’s best player awards based on form and stats.
Other Sportsmen honored by President Buhari, were the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation – Amaju Pinnick, alongside the outgoing Minister for Youth & Sports Development – Sunday Dare, clinching the Order of the Federal Republic, and the Commander of the Order of the Niger awards respectively.