Unjust Omission: Outrage, Surprise Over Brahim Diaz’s Absence from CAF Awards List

The Confederation of African Football’ (CAF) awards nominees lists are here, showcasing a wealth of young and talented players, including several Moroccan names that fill the country and fans with pride.

The absence of some notable figures, however, has raised questions and scrutiny among fans and analysts alike.

Brahime Diaz, a standout performer for both Real Madrid and Morocco, is one of the absent names.

With impressive statistics, showing prowess on the pitch, the football player played five matches as of the start of the 2024-2025 season, contributing one goal and one assists.

Statistics also highlight his spectacular contributions in the previous season, where he was equally vibrant with six assists, eight goals and 31 appearances for Real Madrid.

Because of his impressive form over the past year, his significant contributions to Real Madrid, and a promising start with the Atlas Lions after choosing to represent Morocco, Diaz’ omission from CAF Awards list has left many shocked.

Analysts and fans had high expectations for his inclusion, considering his recent performances and potential impact on the game.

Faced with his strange omission from the CAF Awards list, many have questioned the criteria used in the selection process and how influential players like Diaz were overlooked.

In a statement to Morocco World News (MWN), former athlete and former technical director at the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation Aziz Daouda described the situation as a blend of humor and frustration with the selection process.

He acknowledged the long standing tradition of the list, which emerges around the same time each year, yet notes their inherent flaws and inconsistencies that can undermine their credibility.

One of Daouda’s central arguments is that true excellence in football is not defined by a single standout season but rather by a player’s ability to maintain high performance over several years.

“For example, a simple comparison with last year’s winner reveals an issue. The player who was selected as the best last year is missing from this year’s list, despite still actively playing. This suggests the selection criteria overlook essential aspects of athletic achievement, like consistency and sustained excellence,” Daouda argued.

Achraf Hakimi and Soufiane Rahimi are representing Morocco on the nominees list for the Best Player category.

The recent selection does not significantly alter the landscape as Hakimi has consistently appeared on previous nomination lists without ever actually winning the award.

“Despite being chosen several times, he hasn’t received the award, even though he consistently performs at the international level, both with his national team and his club. This reflects a broader issue with the criteria used,” Daouda said.

Bringing up Diaz’ case, Daouda further emphasized the puzzling nature of CAF nominees list, stressing that the player’s omission from the selection questions the criteria and values guiding CAF’s nominees.

“As for Brahim Diaz, he was an active contributor to Real Madrid’s success in reaching the European Championship, with a strong presence in both the qualifiers and final matches, as well as on the national team. Yet, he’s absent from the list, despite broad consensus that he ranks among the best African players. It’s puzzling to see him excluded,” he concluded.

Many on social media have echoed this sentiment, with both fans and media expressing their surprise at Brahi Daiz’ absence from the list.

“The CAF revealed this Thursday the names of the Best Players of the Year for the CAF Awards ceremony. many surprises, including the absence of Brahim Daiz, a Real Madrid player for this edition,” one commenter wrote on X.

Another also condemned Daiz’s omission, noting that the player has four titles with Real Madrid.

He also questioned the absence of other key football players, including Ayoub El Kaabi, who has the European Conference League title.

“[He] was the tournament’s top scorer, while some players who did nothing noteworthy last season are included, raising significant questions???” the same commenter asked.

El Mehdi Kasoua, a Moroccan sports consultant and analyst, highlighted the troubling decision to exclude Diaz from the CAF awards.

The analyst, who also has experience in coaching and as a football player, said that the selection committee’s focus appears to be narrowly defined, prioritizing recent performances over a more comprehensive evaluation of a player’s career.

“Not selecting Diaz is a significant problem for the committee responsible for these awards,” he told MWN, noting that this oversight raises several challenges.

“It seems the committee has a short memory, focusing only on players’ stats from the past few months while neglecting the long term achievements of others,” he said, stressing how Diaz had an extraordinary season with both Real Madrid and the national team, completing numerous titles in the Spanish league.

“It feels as though the selection was made to appease certain interests. His omission is a misguided decision,” he added.

This is not the first time analysts and fans have raised concerns about perceived unfairness and bias in the way players are selected for CAF awards.

Over the years, similar frustrations have prompted calls for the CAF to address the rampant injustice and perceived cluelessness that have long characterized its decision-making processes. If the continental body does not address their recurring issues, critics have warned, they will end up damaging the integrity of their awards.