Denis Lavagne, former head coach of the Cameroon national team, has expressed his disappointment with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for omitting Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah from the nominees for the African Player of the Year award.
CAF recently announced its shortlist, which includes Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian winger; Ronwen Williams, South African goalkeeper; Achraf Hakimi, Moroccan defender; Simon Adingra, Ivorian winger; and Serhou Guirassy, Guinean forward.
Salah’s exclusion from this list has sparked widespread debate, with Lavagne joining the chorus of those questioning the decision.
Speaking to Foot Africa, Lavagne was unequivocal in his belief that the Liverpool star deserved recognition.
“He has accomplished great things with Liverpool and with the Pharaohs,” Lavagne said. “In my view, he is currently the best African player.”
Salah, a two-time winner of the prestigious award in 2017 and 2018, has consistently delivered standout performances for his club and country.
In the 2022/23 season, the forward was pivotal in Liverpool’s campaigns, delivering goals and assists that solidified his reputation as one of the world’s top footballers.
Despite this, CAF’s decision has seemingly overlooked his contributions.
The omission has raised questions about the criteria used by CAF to determine its nominees.
Critics argue that Salah’s exclusion diminishes the credibility of the selection process, especially given his global stature and consistent excellence on the field.
Lavagne’s comments add weight to these criticisms, reflecting the sentiments of many fans and analysts who believe Salah remains one of Africa’s most influential players.
While the shortlist celebrates emerging and established talents, the absence of a player of Salah’s caliber has inevitably cast a shadow over the awards.
As CAF prepares for the awards ceremony, the debate surrounding Salah’s exclusion underscores the challenges of striking a balance between honoring new faces and acknowledging established stars.
For now, the conversation continues to highlight the dynamic and passionate nature of African football.
