The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the nominees for the prestigious 2024 Player of the Year Award. This award recognizes outstanding individual performances by players across the African continent, celebrating their contributions to both club and national teams over the past year. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see which talented athletes will be in the run
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the shortlist for the prestigious 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. The announcement, made on October 24, 2024, features a diverse array of talent from across the continent, representing various clubs and national teams.
Top Contenders and Notable Absences
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted title. Lookman's exceptional year includes clinching the UEFA Europa League with Atalanta, where he delivered a remarkable hat-trick in the final. His stellar performances also earned him Atalanta's Player of the Year accolade and a historic Ballon d'Or nomination – a first for any Atalanta player.
Other strong contenders include Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba. Notably absent from the list is Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Player of the Year, who failed to cut the 2024 award.
The Shortlist
The top 10 nominees for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award are:
1. Amine Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes)
2. Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen)
3. Simon Adingra (Côte d'Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)
4. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo / Olympique Marseille)
5. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
6. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
7. Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco / Al Ain)
8. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
9. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria / Al Kholood)
10. Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Award Ceremony Details
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco. This marks the third consecutive time Morocco has been chosen to host this prestigious event.
Selection Process and Additional Awards
The winners will be determined through a comprehensive voting process involving the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and head coaches and captains of member associations. The review period for the awards spans from January 2024 to October 2024.
In addition to the Player of the Year award, CAF will present accolades in various categories, including Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, and National Team of the Year.
Player Reactions
William Troost-Ekong, who was named MVP of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), expressed his gratitude for being nominated, highlighting the significance of this recognition in African football.
As the football world eagerly anticipates the ceremony, the 2024 CAF Awards promise to celebrate the best of African football talent and achievements over the past year.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
