After a year of memorable sporting performances, there is great anticipation and excitement for the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, which will take place in just a few hours at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech. Speculation is rife as to which footballer will be crowned the best African player of the year.
Among the favourites to win this prestigious title is the talented Achraf Hakimi. Born in Morocco, Hakimi has shone this season by winning the French championship with PSG and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. His proximity to Marrakech, the host city of the ceremony, could work in his favour. In addition, his bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the Moroccan national team only strengthens his candidacy. A victory would establish Hakimi as the first Moroccan to win this title since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Another serious contender for the trophy is Ademola Lookman from Nigeria. His remarkable hat-trick performance in the Europa League final last season earned him international recognition. His key contribution to Nigeria’s silver medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in January confirms his place among the best.
The nominees are completed by Simon Adingra, a mainstay of the Ivorian team in their AFCON triumph in January, Serhou Guirassy, a Guinean forward who has enjoyed a stellar season with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, and Ronwen Williams, the South African goalkeeper who is up for Goalkeeper of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year.
It is worth recalling that Victor Osimhen was crowned the Best African Player in 2023. Cameroon has won the Footballer of the Year title eleven times in the past, from Roger Milla in 1976 to Samuel Eto’o in 2010. In second place are Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, with six titles each to their name.
With such a tough competition and such diverse talent, it is difficult to predict who will be crowned tonight. African football fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this memorable evening that will showcase the talent and commitment of these brilliant players from the continent.