Casablanca, Morocco — Yassine Bounou, the distinguished Moroccan goalkeeper and recipient of the prestigious Best Goalkeeper of the Year accolade at the 2023 CAF Awards, chose not to attend the ceremony held on Monday, December 11. In an exclusive interview with a Saudi channel, Bounou elucidated the rationale behind his conspicuous absence.
Despite having been granted permission by his club to attend the awards gala, Bounou made a conscious decision to remain with his team, prioritizing a pivotal King’s Cup quarter-final encounter against Al-Taawoun in Saudi Arabia.
“I declined to participate in the awards ceremony due to our crucial match against Al-Taawoun,” Bounou articulated during the interview, emphasizing his commitment to his team’s ongoing campaign.
The 32-year-old shot-stopper secured the Best Goalkeeper of the Year honor, outshining formidable contenders such as André Onana of Cameroon and Mohamed El-Shenawy of Egypt.
Notably, Bounou etched his name in history as the first African goalkeeper to secure a place in the top 15 of the esteemed World Ballon d’Or, securing the 13th position.
His stellar performance during Morocco’s historic World Cup semi-final in Qatar garnered acclaim, underscored by a series of remarkable saves that resonated with football enthusiasts worldwide.
Bounou’s choice to forgo the awards ceremony in favor of team commitment exemplifies the athlete’s dedication to collective success, a testament to his unwavering focus on both individual and team achievements.
As the football community applauds Bounou’s accomplishments, his decision highlights the balance that elite athletes often navigate between personal recognition and team responsibilities.
