Al Ahly stars Hussein El Shahat and Mostafa Shobeir, along with Zamalek winger Ahmed Sayed “Zizo,” have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Interclub Player of the Year award, recognizing their standout performances in African club football.
El Shahat and Shobeir were instrumental in Al Ahly’s successful campaign, culminating in the club securing its record-extending 12th CAF Champions League title.
Hussein El Shahat, an ever-reliable presence in attack, contributed five assists throughout the tournament, playing a crucial role in the team’s forward momentum.
His creativity and vision helped Al Ahly dominate opponents, with his pinpoint deliveries often setting up critical goals.
Mostafa Shobeir, meanwhile, was a defensive rock for the Cairo giants.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper stood tall between the posts, delivering flawless performances in every match he featured in during the Champions League.
Remarkably, Shobeir did not concede a single goal in the competition, showcasing his growing reputation as one of Africa’s top emerging goalkeepers.
On the other side of the Cairo footballing rivalry, Zamalek’s Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” earned his nomination after a stellar run in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The versatile winger contributed significantly to Zamalek’s success, netting four goals and providing six assists during the tournament.
His impressive attacking contributions were key to Zamalek lifting the Confederation Cup trophy, marking a strong season for the club on the continental stage.
Joining the Egyptian trio on the shortlist are several notable names from across the continent.
Among them are Ghanaian forwards John Antwi and Abdul Aziz Issah, the latter recently moving to Barcelona Academy after a standout campaign with Dreams FC.
The list also includes South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who has been a linchpin for Mamelodi Sundowns, and Esperance duo Yassine Meriah and goalkeeper AmanAllah Memiche.
Algeria’s USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot also made the cut, further highlighting the impressive talent competing in African club football.
The nominees represent the best players from this year’s continental competitions, where both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup showcased the incredible talent and competition present across Africa.
The CAF awards ceremony, where the winner of the Interclub Player of the Year will be announced, is scheduled to take place in Morocco on December 16, 2024.
This event will celebrate not only individual brilliance but also the outstanding achievements of players and teams across African football.
With fierce competition from across the continent, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to a year filled with exceptional footballing moments.
