The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the nominees for the prestigious Africa Player of the Year award, with two Super Eagles stars making the shortlist, Soccernet.ng reports.
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and Al Kholood defender William Troost-Ekong have been named among the ten best African players for 2023.
Joining them on the ten-man shortlist are DR Congoโs veteran defender Chancel Mbemba, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi, and Borussia Dortmundโs prolific striker Serhou Guirassy.
๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ (๐ ๐ฒ๐ป) โ ๐ก๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐#CAFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/1fhdmOay7a
โ CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) October 24, 2024
Brighton & Hove Albionโs rising star Simon Adingra, fresh from helping Cรดte dโIvoire to a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph, also features alongside Bayer Leverkusenโs impressive centre-back Edmond Tapsoba and Algeriaโs talented forward Amine Gouiri.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who is also nominated for the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award, earned a place on the list, as well as Moroccoโs Soufiane Rahimi, who plays for Al Ain FC.
Surprisingly, reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has not been nominated to defend his title, despite becoming the first Nigerian in 24 years to win the award last year.
Osimhenโs absence comes as a shock, especially after his impressive displays for Napoli/Galatasaray and Nigeria at the AFCON.ย
Victor Boniface, another Super Eagles standout, also missed out on the top ten despite a stellar debut season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored numerous vital goals, helping the club secure a league and cup double.
Boniface was even named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year, but his injury-enforced absence from AFCON 2023 likely affected his chances.
In the absence of Osimhen and Boniface, Lookman will be keen to seize his opportunity.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic year, excelling with Atalanta in Serie A and the Europa League. His standout performances include scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, which helped Atalanta secure the title in May.
Additionally, Lookman was Nigeriaโs joint-top scorer at AFCON 2023, where the Super Eagles claimed a silver medal.
Both Lookman and Troost-Ekong were named in the AFCON Team of the Tournament, with Troost-Ekong also being crowned the competitionโs Most Valuable Player.
Full List of CAF Africa Player of the Year Nominees:
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
- William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria, Al Kholood)
- Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo, Olympique Marseille)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Borussia Dortmund)
- Simon Adingra (Cรดte dโIvoire, Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Amine Gouiri (Algeria, Stade Rennais)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco, Al Ain FC)