By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Villareal’s Nigerian import, Samuel Chukwueze, has won the La Liga Best African Player for the 2022/2023 season, his club disclosed on Tuesday, 6 June, 2023.
The Super Eagle earned the accolade with the 2022/2023 season’s performance with Villarreal, where out of 37 matches he played, he started 27.
“Samu is now enjoying his well-deserved award, after being voted by more than 30,000 fans and 26 journalists from the continent, ahead of other top African players such as Yassine Bono, Iñaki Williams, and Youssef En-Nesyri, among others,” Villareal wrote.
Chukwueze edged out LaLiga Santander Mid-season African MVP Iñaki Williams, the record-breaking Athletic Club forward who scored 10 goals in 36 LaLiga Santander matches this season, in which he set an incredible record of making 251 consecutive LaLiga appearances for the Basque side over seven seasons.
“Also in contention was last season’s inaugural LaLiga Santander African MVP Award Winner, Bounou, whose penalty shootout heroics against AS Roma led Sevilla FC to yet another UEFA Europa League title, their seventh and the Moroccan keeper’s second with the club.
“But it was Chukwueze who has emerged as this season’s LaLiga Santander African MVP Award winner. The Nigerian international was a constant attacking threat for Villarreal CF and was back to his brilliant best after a frustrating injury layoff, his 155 dribbles in the top three in LaLiga Santander this season as he became one of the most exciting players to watch in the league,” the club added.
