Follow-aware
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced its lists of candidates for a number of categories competing for its awards for the year 2024.
The CAF Awards Ceremony for the Best in 2024 will be held on Monday, December 16, in Marrakesh, Morocco.
10 players were chosen to compete for the CAF Award for the best African player of the year, including Algerian Amine Gouiri, player of Rennes, France, Edmond Tapsouba, from Burkina Faso, player, Bayer Leverkusen, Ivorian Simon Idengra, player, Brighton, England, Congolese Chancel Mbemba, player, Olympique de Marseille, Guinea, Serho Djirassi, player, Borussia. German Dortmund, Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, French player of Paris Saint-Germain, Moroccan Sofiane Rahimi, UAE player of Al Ain, Nigerian Ademola Lookman, Italian Atalanta player, Nigerian William Troost-Ekong, Saudi Al Khulud player, and South African Ronwen Williams, South African Mamelodi Sundowns player.
The list of candidates for the Best Player in Africa award included three Egyptian players, two Tunisian players, and one Algerian player.
The Egyptian Al-Ahly duo, Hussein Al-Shahat and Mustafa Schubert, topped the list, and they were joined by Ahmed Sayed Zizo, the Zamalek player, the Algerian Osama Ben Bout, the Algerian club, and the Tunisian Esperance duo, Aman Allah Mamish and Yassine Meriah, in addition to the South African Ronwen Williams, the Mamelodi Sundown player, and Issoufou Dayo, the player. Burkina Faso and Moroccan club RS Berkane, and Ghanaian Abdelaziz Issa and John Antwi, players of FC Dreams.
Three Arab players were on the list of candidates for the Best Young Player in Africa award: the Moroccan duo Bilal El-Khanous, the Leicester City player, and Elias Bensghir, the Monaco player, in addition to the Tunisian Aman Allah Mamish, the Tunisian Esperance player. The list also included the names of the Cameroonian Carlos Baleba, the Brighton player, and the Ivorian Karim. Konate, player of Salzburg, Ivorian Omar Diakite, player of Rennes, Gambian Yankuba Mente, player of Brighton, Ghanaian Abdelaziz Issa, player of FC Dreams, who moved to Barcelona, Senegalese El Hadji Malik Diouf, player of Slavia Prague, and Senegalese Lamine Camara, player of Monaco.
The list of candidates for the Best Goalkeeper Award in Africa included Mustafa Schubert, Al-Ahly goalkeeper of Egypt, Algerian Osama Ben Bout, goalkeeper of Al-Ittihad Algeria, Moroccan Mounir Al-Kajjoui, goalkeeper of NS Berkane, and Tunisian Aman Allah Mamish, goalkeeper of Tunisian Esperance.
In addition to these, the list also included Cameroonian Andre Onana, Manchester United goalkeeper, Ivorian Yahya Fofana, Angie goalkeeper, Congolese Lionel Mbaise, Rowdies FC goalkeeper, Malian Djiji Diarra, Young Africans goalkeeper, Nigerian Stanley Nwabale, Chippa United goalkeeper, and South African Ronwen Williams, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper.
Among the candidates for the CAF Award for Best Coach of the Year are Swiss Marcel Kohler, who achieved great successes with Al-Ahly of Egypt, and Emers Faye, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Côte d’Ivoire national team.
The list also included the names: Hugo Bruce, coach of South Africa, Pedro Gonsalves, coach of Angola, Ibrahima Traore, coach of Burkina Faso, Jose Gomez, coach of Zamalek of Egypt, Chikinyo Kunde, coach of Mozambique, Sebastien Desabre, coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Florent Ibenge, coach of Al Hilal of Sudan, and Kwasi Ibia, coach of Sudan.
Source: Sky News
How do the performances of African players in international leagues affect their chances of winning at the CAF Awards?
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and CAF Awards Expert
Editor: Good day, everyone! Today, we have a special guest in the studio—a renowned expert in African football and CAF events, Dr. Amina Jemana. As we approach the CAF Awards Ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Marrakesh, I thought it would be perfect to discuss the nominees and what we can expect from this year’s ceremony. Welcome, Dr. Jemana!
Dr. Jemana: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the upcoming CAF Awards and the incredible talent we have this year in African football.
Editor: Let’s dive right in! The list for the Best African Player of the Year features ten remarkable players. Who stands out to you among the nominees, and why?
Dr. Jemana: Each player on the list brings unique skills and contributions to their respective teams, but if I had to highlight a few, I would certainly mention Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain. Not only is he a consistent performer in one of Europe’s toughest leagues, but his ability to change the game from the backline is phenomenal.
Editor: That’s an excellent point! You mentioned Hakimi’s game-changing abilities. How does he compare to other notable nominees like Amine Gouiri and Simon Idengra?
Dr. Jemana: Both Gouiri and Idengra have shown great potential in their clubs this season. Gouiri’s creativity and goal-scoring touch for Rennes is impressive, while Idengra has become a key player for Brighton. However, Hakimi has the advantage of playing at the highest level consistently in both domestic and international competitions, which often sways voters in these awards.
Editor: Absolutely! The awards also feature candidates for the Best Player in Africa. It’s interesting to see a strong representation from Egyptian players. What do you think gives them an edge in this category?
Dr. Jemana: The Egyptian players, particularly Hussein Al-Shahat, Mustafa Schubert, and Ahmed Sayed Zizo, have had outstanding seasons with their clubs. Al-Ahly and Zamalek are historically two of Africa’s most successful clubs, and their players bring not only talent but the weight of experience and mentorship to the pitch. Their performance in crucial matches can significantly boost their chances.
Editor: It seems like preparation and performance on the continental stage are essential. Speaking of young talents, we see three Arab players listed for the Best Young Player award. What is your take on their potential?
Dr. Jemana: The young talents like Bilal El-Khanous and Elias Bensghir are exciting prospects. Their inclusion shows that African football is nurturing its next generation effectively. Young players have the potential to grow, adapt quickly, and eventually shine in bigger leagues. The pressure they experience now will only make them stronger for the future.
Editor: It’s refreshing to see that emphasis on youth! Before we wrap up, what are your thoughts on how the CAF Awards impact African football overall?
Dr. Jemana: The CAF Awards are critical for elevating the profile of African football globally. They provide recognition not just to individual talents but also to the leagues and clubs that develop these players. By spotlighting African talent, it encourages more investment and interest in the sport across the continent.
Editor: Great insights, Dr. Jemana! Thank you for sharing your expertise. I’m sure the CAF Awards Ceremony will be an exciting event, celebrating the best of African football.
Dr. Jemana: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to see who takes home the trophies.
Editor: And that’s a wrap for today’s interview. Stay tuned for more updates as the CAF Awards approach!