The race for the Men’s Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards remains wide open, with all five nominees still in contention ahead of the ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
The highly anticipated event, scheduled to take place at the Palais des Congrès on Monday evening, promises a thrilling conclusion to one of the closest contests in the award’s history.
The nominees, representing a diverse array of footballing achievements, include Simon Adingra of Côte d’Ivoire, Serhou Guirassy of Guinea, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Ademola Lookman of Nigeria, and Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
Here’s a closer look at their exceptional contributions over the past year.
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, England
Adingra was instrumental in Côte d’Ivoire’s triumphant campaign at the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
His late equalizer against Mali in the quarter-finals and two assists in the final against Nigeria highlighted his impact as the Elephants claimed the title.
Recognized as the tournament’s Best Young Player, the 22-year-old winger also excelled for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, showcasing his talent as part of a vibrant young squad.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Club: Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Guirassy delivered an astonishing 2023-24 season, netting 30 goals in as many matches for Stuttgart before transferring to Borussia Dortmund.
His 28 Bundesliga goals shattered Stuttgart’s long-standing record, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s top strikers.
For Guinea, his prolific form included a hat-trick and two additional goals in back-to-back qualifiers for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Club: Paris Saint-Germain, France
Widely regarded as one of football’s best right-backs, Hakimi enjoyed a stellar year with Paris Saint-Germain, securing the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles.
On the international stage, he helped Morocco clinch bronze at the Paris Olympic Games and continued to lead his national team with distinction, appearing in 14 matches and scoring at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Club: Atalanta, Italy
Lookman had a year to remember, spearheading Atalanta’s rise to become Serie A title challengers and leading them to a UEFA Europa League triumph—the club’s first major trophy in over six decades.
His hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen was a standout moment of the season.
On the international stage, Lookman’s efforts propelled Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, earning him a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa
Williams’ heroics between the posts were pivotal in South Africa’s run to the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His penalty shootout saves in key matches secured crucial victories for Bafana Bafana.
At the club level, he led Mamelodi Sundowns to a seventh consecutive league title, helping set a record for the fewest goals conceded in a single Premiership season.
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony will begin at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT), with fans and footballing enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the announcement of Africa’s best player.
