The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its nominees for the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards. This year’s awards highlight standout performances in African men’s football, covering a selection period from January to October 2024.
The awards ceremony, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, will recognize exceptional talent, skill, and contribution to the sport across eight key categories: African Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Women’s categories (to be announced soon).
Here is a detailed breakdown of the men’s categories and the notable contenders.
African Player of the Year
CAF’s African Player of the Year category is the most anticipated, recognizing the best individual talent on the continent. This year, ten elite players are in contention, each of whom has demonstrated skill, leadership, and impact domestically and internationally.
Among the headline nominees is Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), who has had a remarkable season in Italy. Lookman joins fellow Nigerian William Troost-Ekong (Al Kholood) on the list, both vying to make Nigeria proud on the global stage. Returning to the nominees is last year’s finalist Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), whose impressive performance solidifies his reputation as one of Africa’s finest.
Other notable names include Serhou Guirassy of Guinea (Borussia Dortmund), Amine Gouiri of Algeria (Rennes), and Simon Adingra from Cote d’Ivoire (Brighton & Hove Albion). The strong representation from North and West Africa highlights the regions’ dominant footballing influence.
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Goalkeeper of the Year
The Goalkeeper of the Year category celebrates the skill and agility of Africa’s top shot-stoppers. Ten players are nominated, and the category features experienced keepers who have been instrumental in crucial matches. South Africa’s Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns) is the standout nominee, recognized in three categories: Player of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year.
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Cameroon’s Andre Onana (Manchester United), and Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly) round out the list. These goalkeepers have demonstrated exceptional reflexes and composure, often supporting their teams’ defenses.
Young Player of the Year
The Young Player of the Year award spotlights emerging talent under 21 and celebrates those expected to lead the next generation of African football. This year’s nominees include standout young players already making an impact in competitive leagues.
Top contenders include Abdul Aziz Issah of Ghana (Dreams FC/Barcelona) and Yankuba Minteh of Gambia (Brighton & Hove Albion). These young stars have shown impressive skills early in their careers, making them future assets for both their clubs and national teams. The category highlights CAF’s commitment to fostering young talent and promoting youth development in football.
Interclub Player of the Year
CAF’s Interclub Player of the Year category recognizes players who have excelled in interclub competitions. Nominees include Ghana’s Issoufou Dayo (RS Berkane), Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Zamalek), and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), all of whom have shown consistency in their performances and have been vital assets to their teams.
This category highlights players who have helped shape the success of their clubs in CAF interclub tournaments, emphasizing their role in African football’s competitive landscape. Their contributions have been recognized on the field and helped elevate the profile of African club competitions.
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year category acknowledges tactical brilliance, leadership, and the ability to inspire. The ten nominees include Marcel Koller (Al Ahly), Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique), and Hugo Broos (South Africa). Each coach has had a remarkable season, guiding their teams through challenging tournaments and achieving remarkable results.
This category celebrates those who strategize, motivate, and guide their players, influencing on-field performance and long-term team development. As the architects behind team successes, these coaches are essential to African football’s growth and prominence on the world stage.
Club of the Year
The Club of the Year award recognizes African clubs that have shown resilience, skill, and consistency in their performances. This year’s nominees include heavyweights such as Egypt’s Al Ahly, Tanzania’s Simba, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. These clubs have consistently impressed in CAF tournaments and have built strong reputations across the continent.
Each club’s performance reflects the caliber of African football, with teams like Zamalek (Egypt) and Young Africans (Tanzania) representing the growing competitive nature of club tournaments in Africa.
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National Team of the Year
The National Team of the Year category celebrates Africa’s most successful national squads. Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Mozambique are among the nominees, recognized for their outstanding performance and sportsmanship. Each team has shown strong cohesion and resilience and impressed in major competitions this year.
Voting Process and Selection Criteria
Winners in each category will be determined through a voting process involving the CAF Technical Committee, esteemed media professionals, national team head coaches, and captains, alongside representatives from clubs participating in the group stages of CAF interclub competitions. This selection process is designed to ensure a balanced and comprehensive evaluation, emphasizing the diverse perspectives within African football.
Looking Forward: Anticipation Builds for December 16
The 2024 CAF Awards promise to celebrate African football excellence and spotlight the continent’s impact on the global football stage. This year’s nominees reflect the diversity, talent, and dedication present in African football, with each category offering a glimpse into the vibrant future of the sport across the continent.
With a lineup of celebrated players, young prodigies, skilled goalkeepers, tactical coaches, and standout teams, the CAF Awards will honor the best in African football. The addition of a Women’s Category announcement, expected shortly, will further enhance the inclusivity and depth of this year’s awards.
The December 16 ceremony in Marrakech is anticipated to be a defining moment for African football. It will celebrate the achievements of the continent’s finest while setting the stage for continued growth and influence on the global football scene.