We’ve just witnessed an unforgettable year for African football, with the launch of the African Football League, outstanding performances by the continent’s team’s at the Women’s World Cup, and historic contributions by star players across Europe’s major leagues.
As we enter 2024 — an Africa Cup of Nations year, no less — we deliver nine bold predictions for the next 12 months of African football.
Osimhen becomes football’s first £200 million player
Is this the year that Victor Osimhen’s storied tenure at Napoli comes to a lucrative conclusion?
He’s inspired the Naples giants to the Scudetto — partly realising Amaju Pinnick’s prediction that the striker would match Diego Maradona’s impact in southern Italy — and won the Serie A Golden Boot in the process.
Eighth place in the Ballon d’Or was worthy acknowledgement of his impact across 2023, and with AFCON this year, as well as another shot at club honours with Napoli, don’t be surprised if Osimhen gets closer to the award this year.
We’re also tipping him to get a big-money move; and if Osimhen does leave Napoli, it surely won’t be for much less than a world-record fee.
Neymar’s £198 million move to Paris Saint-Germain remains the benchmark; could the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United or even PSG themselves make Osimhen the world’s first £200 million player?
