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Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the nominees for its prestigious awards today, spotlighting the standout players, teams, and coaches across the continent.
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has secured a spot in the highly anticipated African Player of the Year category, where he faces stiff competition from five other football stars.
Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team, is joined by Ivorian Simon Adingra (Brighton and Hove Albion), Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund), Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns).
The list reflects the diverse talent across African football, with players representing top European clubs and domestic teams.
However, the shortlist has raised eyebrows with the exclusion of Soufiane Rahimi, one of Morocco’s standout players for both the national team and his club, Al-Ahli.
Rahimi’s omission, despite his influential performances in club competitions and Morocco’s remarkable World Cup journey, has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Despite Morocco’s remarkable achievements in 2023, including being crowned CAF National Team of the Year and reaching a historic World Cup semi-final, the Atlas Lions notably missed out on the shortlisting for Team of the Year.
This omission has raised questions given their global impact and the performances that captivated fans worldwide.
In the “Young Player of the Year” category, Moroccan Eliesse Ben Seghir, playing for AS Monaco, faces stiff competition from players like Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast/Salzburg) and Yankuba Minteh (Gambia/Brighton and Hove Albion).
The list of five finalists for Club of the Year is equally competitive, with Morocco’s Renaissance of Berkane competing against some of Africa’s elite clubs, including South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Zamalek, and Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive.
