Algerian stars overlooked once again as CAF awards spark outrage
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its ten-man shortlist for the 2025 African Player of the Year award — and, once again, not a single Algerian features among the nominees.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, has provoked anger and disbelief across Algerian football circles, with many questioning how several of the nation’s standout performers have been ignored despite exceptional seasons both at club and international level.
This year’s list includes some of Africa’s biggest names — Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Frank Anguissa (Cameroon), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Denis Bouanga (Gabon), and Fiston Mayele (DR Congo), among others.
While their inclusion reflects the continent’s current elite, critics argue that some selections come at the expense of equally deserving Algerian stars, particularly given the form of players such as Ramy Bensebaïni, Mohamed Amine Amoura, and Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Consistent performers left in the shadows
Ramy Bensebaïni’s exclusion has drawn particular criticism.
A mainstay for Borussia Dortmund, the defender enjoyed a strong 2024 season, noted for his defensive reliability, leadership, and influence in Algeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
His continued excellence at both club and national level was widely expected to earn him recognition, yet CAF’s list tells a different story.
Similarly, Mohamed Amine Amoura’s omission has baffled many.
The Wolfsburg forward has been one of Africa’s breakout stars in the Bundesliga, combining pace, precision, and a sharp goalscoring instinct that also shone through with the Algerian national team.
His contributions in crucial qualification matches appeared to position him as a legitimate contender for the award — but his name, too, is absent.
Aït-Nouri and Mahrez also snubbed
Another surprise omission is Rayan Aït-Nouri, who earned a high-profile move to Manchester City after an outstanding season with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His rise symbolises the new generation of Algerian talent flourishing in Europe, yet CAF has once again overlooked this progress.
Even Riyad Mahrez, the captain who continues to perform at an elite level with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, finds himself excluded.
Despite leading his club to success in the AFC Champions League and Super Cup — and remaining one of the continent’s most decorated players — Mahrez has been left out of contention.
Questions over CAF’s criteria
The absence of Algerian names has reignited debate over the transparency and consistency of CAF’s selection criteria.
What exactly are the parameters — talent, statistics, trophies, or visibility? ask analysts, pointing to what they perceive as an overemphasis on players from Europe’s most commercially powerful leagues.
For many in Algeria, this repeated exclusion feels less like coincidence and more like neglect.
The national team continues to perform well in qualifiers, and its players consistently feature at the highest levels of competition across Europe.
Yet, when the time comes for recognition, their efforts appear invisible.
As the CAF Awards ceremony approaches in December, Algerian supporters are left balancing frustration and pride — proud of a footballing tradition that continues to produce world-class players, yet disheartened by a system that seems unwilling to acknowledge them.
