The announcement of the 2024 shortlist for the African Player of the Year Award has ignited fierce debate across the continent, particularly following the omission of several high-profile players.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has come under fire from fans and analysts alike, with criticism centered on the exclusion of Nigerian forward Victor Boniface and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
Atalanta’s Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman is among the 10 nominees for this year’s prestigious award, but the absence of Boniface, who had an outstanding season with Bayer Leverkusen, has left many fans bewildered. Boniface himself expressed frustration on social media platform X, highlighting his accomplishments.
In response to a post that underscored his role in helping Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double, the striker sarcastically remarked, “Rookie of the season. Team of the season. No worry I [don’t] play Afcon.”
Boniface, 23, was forced to miss Nigeria’s journey to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year due to injury, which might have impacted his chances of securing a spot on the shortlist.
Nevertheless, his remarkable club form made him a favorite among fans for a nomination, and his exclusion has left many questioning CAF’s criteria.
Equally controversial is the omission of Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s captain and one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers.
Salah’s hamstring injury limited his AFCON participation, as Egypt was knocked out in the last 16, but his club form for Liverpool has been nothing short of sensational. Salah scored 33 goals and provided 18 assists for club and country in the past season, leading to widespread outcry following his exclusion.
King Fut, an Egyptian football website, was quick to point out, “33 goals and 18 assists for club and country… and still not enough for a CAF player of the year nomination? Something seems amiss here.”
Other notable omissions include last year’s winner Victor Osimhen, who had a less impressive campaign with Napoli before joining Galatasaray on loan, as well as Real Madrid’s Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.
The current nominees include Brighton’s Simon Adingra, Rennes’ Amine Gouiri, and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, among others. Despite the excitement surrounding the nominees, the exclusion of Boniface and Salah will likely remain a talking point as fans eagerly anticipate the award ceremony.
Caf awards 2024 nominees – men’s categories
Player of the Year
Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion and Ivory Coast), Amine Gouiri (Rennes and Algeria), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain and Morocco), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta and Nigeria), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille and DR Congo), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain and Morocco), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen and Burkina Faso), William Troost-Ekong (Al Kholood and Nigeria), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa).
