The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the list of nominees for the 2024 African Player of the Year award, sparking surprise with the absence of several high-profile names, including Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid’s Ibrahim Diaz.
This announcement has led to a closer look at the criteria CAF uses to determine the continent’s best footballer.
How Is Africa’s Best Player Chosen?
According to CAF, the selection criteria for the prestigious award focus on player performances over a defined period, specifically from September 2021 to June 2022.
The evaluation process encompasses several metrics, assessing individual contributions, consistency, and impact during domestic league play, continental tournaments, and international matches.
The winner is determined through a comprehensive voting process involving six key groups: captains and coaches of African national teams, CAF’s technical committee, CAF legends, and representatives from the media.
This approach ensures a broad and inclusive assessment, reflecting diverse perspectives from across the football community.
Mohamed Salah’s Exclusion Shocks Fans
One of the biggest surprises this year is the exclusion of Mohamed Salah from the list of nominees.
The Egyptian forward, who has consistently been regarded as one of the world’s best players and has achieved remarkable success at Liverpool, missed out on a spot for the first time since 2017.
Salah’s omission marks a significant departure from previous years, where he had been a regular contender and often a favorite for the accolade, thanks to his stellar performances in European football.
Nominees for 2024 African Player of the Year
Despite the absence of Salah, the list of nominees features a mix of established stars and emerging talents from across the continent.
The candidates include:
- Amine Gouiri (Algeria) – Stade Rennais
- Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) – Bayer Leverkusen
- Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast) – Brighton
- Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo) – Olympique de Marseille
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Borussia Dortmund
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – Paris Saint-Germain
- Sufyan Rahimi (Morocco) – Al Ain, UAE
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – Atalanta
- Troost Ekong (Nigeria) – Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa) – Mamelodi Sundowns
The competition for the 2024 award appears to be fierce, with players representing top clubs across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
While the absence of renowned figures like Salah may have raised eyebrows, the list highlights the growing pool of talent making their mark on both domestic and international stages.
As the year draws to a close, fans will eagerly await the announcement of the winner, a moment that will not only celebrate individual excellence but also shine a spotlight on the continent’s contribution to the global game.
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