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The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has reportedly confirmed that Morocco will host the 2024 CAF Awards for the third consecutive year.
The highly anticipated 2024 edition of the CAF Awards is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 16, according to africasoccer.com.
Recall that the previous year’s ceremony was held in the city of Marrakech, showcasing Morocco’s vibrant culture and hospitality.
While CAF is currently finalizing the specifics of this year’s event, they have yet to officially announce the exact venue for the awards night.
This annual awards ceremony is renowned for recognizing and honouring the finest football talents from across the African continent, celebrating their remarkable achievements and contributions to the beautiful game.
Last year, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was honoured as the best men’s player in Africa, while Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala took home the women’s prize.
This year, the competition for the prestigious CAF Footballer of the Year award is likely to be fierce, with a strong lineup of contenders.
Below is a closer look at the top five players vying for the men’s category of the CAF Awards:
5. Sebastien Haller
The Ivorian striker had an impressive start to the year, netting a goal in the AFCON final, which significantly contributed to Ivory Coast’s triumph on home soil.
He also played a crucial role for Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, helping the team reach the finals where they were runners-up to Real Madrid.
Despite the successes he recorded with his club and country, Haller faced challenges last season, finishing with only three goals in 19 appearances across all club competitions.
4. Victor Boniface
The 23-year-old forward enjoyed a breakout season with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga title in his debut year with the club.
Boniface displayed exceptional form, scoring 14 league goals in just 23 matches and playing an instrumental role in securing the German Bundesliga title for Leverkusen – a monumental achievement as it marked their first Bundesliga title in history. They also made it to the Europa League final which they lost to Atalanta.
3. Serhou Guirassy
VfB Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy emerged as a top contender for the CAF Best Awards following an outstanding performance in the Bundesliga.
He finished last season as the highest-scoring African player in the league, trailing only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in overall scoring.
However, he faced setbacks during the AFCON tournament as he struggled with fitness issues, which hindered his ability to replicate his club’s success on the international stage.
2. Mohamed Salah
Despite an underwhelming AFCON performance in Ivory Coast, the Egyptian maestro has been prolific for Liverpool, scoring 25 goals in 44 matches during the previous season.
His scoring prowess has already resumed this season, as he started strong, netting 3 goals in the first three matches of the 2024/2025 season.
Salah’s consistent performances have solidified his place as a frontrunner in the power rankings for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award.
1. Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman has had an exceptional calendar year, establishing himself as a pivotal player for the Nigerian national team during the AFCON tournament, where he scored three crucial goals.
His contributions have made him a significant contender for the top accolade, reflecting his growing influence within African football.
In the year under review, the 26-year-old supporting striker helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to reach the final of the 2023 AFCON which they lost to the host, Ivory Coast. He also led Atalanta to win the 2023-2024 Europa League in which he scored a hat-trick in the final.
Lookman ended the season with a season-best 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games in all competitions for Atalanta.
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