By Our Correspondent

Super Eagles striker and Napoli of Italy hitman, Victor Osimhen has been listed among the last 12 players for the 2023 Balon d’Or Award.

Conversely, her compatriot, Asisat Oshoala, current Africa Women’s Footballer of the Year holder, could not make it in the last 12 players for the women’s category

Osimhen’s name was released among the 12 men still standing for the coveted global football individual award.

Osimhen is listed among 2022 World Cup winner and favorite, Lionel Messi, 2023 UEFA Champions League and English Premier League winner, Erling Haaland as well as 2022 World Cups finalists, Kylian Mbappe.

The 24 years old was instrumental as Napoli won the Italian Serie A league title last time and also reached the Champions League quarter-final.

He helped Nigeria to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire finishing as the top scorer in the qualifiers with 10 goals.

The final 12 nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award are:

Julian Alvarez
Marcelo Brozovic
Kevin De Bruyne
Ilkay Gundogan
Erling Haaland
Rodri
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Kylian Mbappe
Lionel Messi
Victor Osimhen
Declan Rice
Bernardo Silva
The final 12 nominees for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award are:

Aitana Bonmati
Linda Caicedo
Rachel Daly
Kadidiatou Diani
Caitlin Foord
Mary Fowler
Alex Greenwood
Jennifer Hermoso
Lindsey Horan
Amanda Ilestedt
Lauren James
Sam Kerr
Mapi Leon
Hinata Miyazawa
Salma Paralluelo
Keira Walsh

The final three nominees in each category will be announced at a later date.

The Best FIFA Football Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Paris on February 27, 2024.