Former Tunisian national team captain Radhi Jaidi has expressed his surprise over the omission of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah from the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) shortlist for the 2024 African Player of the Year award.
Speaking to Foot Africa, Jaidi shared his disbelief at Salah’s exclusion, citing the Liverpool forward’s consistent performances at the club level.
First of all, I would have liked to see the Egyptian Mohamed Salah appear on the ‘shortlist’ of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), especially since he has not stopped being decisive with his club Liverpool,” Jaidi remarked.
The decision by CAF has sparked debate, with many fans and analysts questioning why Salah, a two-time African Player of the Year winner, was left out of contention.
🚨 Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬 encore buteur 🤯
26 G/A en 21 matchs cette saison. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cCVQCLeq49
— AFRII FOOT – CAF AWARDS (@AfriiFoot) December 4, 2024
Salah has been a pivotal figure for Liverpool, delivering standout performances and maintaining his reputation as one of Africa’s finest football talents.
The shortlist unveiled by CAF includes five players: Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).
CAF is set to crown the winner during the CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco on December 16, with the event celebrating excellence across various categories in African football.
Salah’s absence from the list has become a focal point of discussion in the lead-up to the awards, with supporters and commentators alike questioning the criteria used by CAF in its selection process.
While the shortlisted players have all showcased exceptional talent over the past year, the exclusion of a player of Salah’s caliber has raised eyebrows.
The controversy highlights the significance of the CAF Awards in recognizing the achievements of African players, both on the continent and abroad.
As fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of the winner, the debate surrounding Salah’s omission underscores the challenges in satisfying the diverse expectations of football enthusiasts across Africa.
For now, the focus remains on the upcoming ceremony, which promises to celebrate the best of African football, even as discussions about Salah’s exclusion continue to make headlines.
