Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara has retained his title as Young African Player of the Year, winning the prestigious honor for the second consecutive year at the CAF Awards held in Marrakech on Monday.
The 20-year-old, who plays for AS Monaco, emerged victorious over tough competition from Ivorian stars Karim Konaté of Red Bull Salzburg and Oumar Diakité of Stade de Reims.
Camara’s achievements in 2024, which include standout performances for both club and country, secured his place as one of Africa’s brightest young talents.
Konaté, who had a strong season before suffering a significant injury, was considered a strong contender.
The Salzburg forward finished as the top scorer in the Austrian league and was even in contention for the Raymond Kopa Trophy, which honors the world’s best under-21 player.
Pure talent. He’s born with it! 🪄
The Men’s Young Player of the Year, for the second year in a row, is 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚. 🙌#CAFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/HnI5IZr6Za
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 16, 2024
Despite his impressive credentials, Konaté missed out on the CAF honor, leaving room for Camara to shine.
Oumar Diakité, another finalist, also had an outstanding year, particularly during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Reims striker scored five goals in Ligue 1 and played a pivotal role in the Ivorian national team’s AFCON campaign, including a dramatic extra-time winner against Mali in the quarter-finals.
Camara, however, stood out with his extraordinary performances during AFCON.
His double against Gambia, highlighted by a stunning long-range goal, became one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
His transition to AS Monaco in Ligue 1 has been equally impressive.
The young midfielder quickly established himself as a key player, seamlessly adapting to one of Europe’s top leagues.
Despite Camara’s success, the awards were not without controversy.
Many questioned the exclusion of Moroccan winger Eliesse Ben Seghir from the final shortlist.
The 19-year-old Monaco player had delivered five goals and three assists for his club and contributed three goals and two assists for Morocco’s national team during the voting period.
His omission left some critics questioning the selection process.
Camara’s back-to-back victories cement his place as a rising star in African football. His ability to dominate on both domestic and international stages signals a promising future for the young Senegalese talent.
As he continues to develop at Monaco and represents Senegal on the global stage, the midfielder’s trajectory is a testament to Africa’s thriving pool of footballing talent.
