Controversy erupts at CAF Awards as Morocco, Benzia, and Konaté express discontent

The 2024 CAF Awards, held in Marrakech on Monday, have sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding the African Player of the Year award, which was claimed by Ademola Lookman.

The prestigious accolade, widely regarded as the African Golden Ball, has left several key figures dissatisfied, notably from Morocco, where fans and players had hoped for a different outcome.

Achraf Hakimi, the star right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, was a frontrunner for the award. Many expected the Moroccan to succeed Mustapha Hadji, who won the award in 1998, and claim the title for his home nation.

However, when Lookman was announced as the winner, disappointment quickly spread across Morocco, as the country had placed its hopes on Hakimi to bring the award back to its shores.

Though Hakimi, who attended the ceremony with his family, including his mother, brother, and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, did not publicly comment on the result, his teammates were vocal in expressing their disappointment.

One such figure was Soufiane Rahimi, who plays alongside Hakimi in the Moroccan national team and was part of the squad that secured a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Rahimi, who was also a nominee for the award, shared a symbolic post on social media featuring a photo with Hakimi, along with heart and medal emojis, hinting at his belief that Hakimi deserved more recognition.

The fallout extended beyond Morocco, with other players, including Algerian international Farouk Benzia and Mali’s Mohamed Konaté, also expressing their frustrations with the result.

Many feel the award failed to acknowledge the broader contributions and performances that Hakimi has delivered, both at the club and international level.

Hakimi’s omission from the top honor at the CAF Awards, despite his instrumental role in PSG’s success and Morocco’s rise in African football, has led to widespread debate over the voting process and the criteria used to select the winner.

While Lookman’s victory was met with praise for his own accomplishments, it has become clear that the decision has stirred strong emotions, especially within the Moroccan football community.