The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the list of nominees for the men’s categories in the highly anticipated #CAFAwards24, set to take place on 16 December 2024, in the vibrant city of Marrakech, Morocco.
The prestigious CAF Awards 2024 will recognize the standout football talents from the African continent for their performances between January 2024 and October 2024.
Among the most closely watched categories is the CAF African Player of the Year, which has ten exceptional players vying for the coveted title.
The nominees represent a diverse range of countries and clubs, showcasing the depth of talent across African football.
Leading the pack of nominees are Amine Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen), Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo / Olympique de Marseille), and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund).
Morocco’s star right-back Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, also makes the list, returning as a finalist after losing the 2023 award to Nigeria’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen.Other nominees for the CAF African Player of the Year include Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta), William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria / Al Kholood), Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco / Al Ain), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns). South Africa’s Ronwen Williams stands out as a key player to watch, having been nominated in three categories: CAF African Player of the Year, CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, and CAF Interclub Player of the Year. His versatility and consistent performances at both the national and club levels have earned him wide recognition across the African football community.In addition to the marquee CAF African Player of the Year award, ten players have been shortlisted for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year award.
This category honors the players who have shone in African club football, excelling in the various continental competitions under the CAF umbrella, such as the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Another category that is generating significant buzz is the CAF Coach of the Year award.
This category features the top tacticians from across the continent, many of whom have guided their national teams to notable success in the lead-up to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Côte d’Ivoire in 2023.
These coaches have demonstrated technical brilliance and leadership, contributing to the rise of African football on the global stage.
Their inclusion in the list is a testament to the increasing competitive edge in African football, particularly among national teams and clubs.
Meanwhile, the CAF Young Player of the Year category will celebrate the emerging stars under the age of 21.
As always, this award category is crucial for shining a light on Africa’s future footballing talents, many of whom have already started making their mark in Europe’s top leagues and in CAF’s interclub competitions.
The 2024 shortlist features ten players, all of whom have shown tremendous potential.
Returning as one of the highly anticipated categories is the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year award, which has always been a fan favorite.
The category celebrates the exceptional goalkeepers who have kept clean sheets, made remarkable saves, and have been pivotal in their teams’ successes across the CAF interclub tournaments and national team campaigns.
With Ronwen Williams nominated in this category, it is a testament to the goalkeeper’s outstanding ability and leadership on the field.
In addition to the individual awards, categories such as CAF National Team of the Year and CAF Club of the Year will also be hotly contested.
These awards recognize the collective efforts of teams that have performed exceptionally well during the period under review.
The ten nominees in each of these categories have been selected based on their achievements in major CAF tournaments, as well as their domestic league performances.
The winners in all the categories will be determined by votes from a panel that includes the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and the head coaches and captains of CAF Member Associations.
Additionally, coaches and captains from clubs participating in the group stages of CAF’s interclub competitions will also contribute their votes.
Lastly, CAF will soon announce the list of nominees for the women’s categories, where African female footballers will be celebrated for their excellence on the field.
In 2023, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen took home the prestigious CAF African Player of the Year award, while his compatriot, Asisat Oshoala, earned the title of CAF African Women’s Player of the Year.
The 2024 edition of the CAF Awards promises to be another unforgettable celebration of African football excellence.
