Victor Osimhen of the Super Eagles has won yet another distinction from FIFA after being given the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by former President Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.).
Osimhen made his international debut in 2015, when he scored a record 10 goals to lead the Golden Eaglets to their fifth U-17 World Cup victory in Chile.
Osimhen scored the most goals overall and took home both the Silver Ball and Golden Boot awards for his outstanding play.
His 10 goals in seven games eclipsed the previous mark of nine goals in one tournament, which was shared by Florent Sinama Pongolle of France and Souleymane Coulibaly of Ivory Coast.
He was also awarded 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year for that achievement.
The 24-year-old recently assisted Napoli in capturing the Serie A championship for the first time in 33 years and made history by being the first African to be named the Serie A Top Scorer Award winner.
Additionally, the striker ended a 14-year curse by becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win both the Capocannoniere and the Scudetto in the same season.
He received a customised ball and shift from FIFA official Gelson Fernandes in honour of his ascent to fame.
Fernandes wrote to the striker, “Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do.
“From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you.
“Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”
