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Rabat – Morocco has clinched a spot in the final nominees’ list for the 2023 CAF Awards’ National Team of the Year category.
The awards are set to be presented on December 11 in the city of Marrakech.
The North African nation was nominated alongside continental powerhouses Senegal and the emerging team of the Gambia.
Morocco is also currently the highest-ranked African nation in the FIFA rankings, and the 13th best team worldwide.
Morocco has been able to climb the ranking following a historic showing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where they became the first African or Arab team to reach the semi-finals.
CAF has lauded Morocco’s national team for its exceptional journey, attributing the success to a meticulous integrated project, and strategic long-term planning.
Several other Moroccan players and clubs have received nominations for other categories.
Achraf Hakimi is one of the finalists for the men’s Player of the Year award, alongside Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. The current holder is Senegal’s Sadio Mane.
Meanwhile, Yassine Bounou is one of the finalists for the Best Goalkeeper category, alongside Cameroon’s Andre Onana and Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy.
Morocco’s national coach Walid Regragui also secured a nomination in the Coach of the Year category, bolstered by the historic 2022 World Cup performance. Senegal’s Aliou Cisse and Algeria coach Abdelhak Benchika also received nominations alongside him.
