2024 CAF Awards: Nominees for Key Categories Revealed Ahead of Gala in Marrakech

The 2024 CAF Awards are set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, where Africa's top footballers, coaches, clubs, and national teams will be honored for their remarkable performances over the past year. The prestigious ceremony will be held at the Palais des Congrès, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT / 20:00 Cairo time / 21:00 East African time). As anticipation builds for the event, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final nominees in key categories, ranging from players of the year to the continent's best clubs and coaches.

Here is a rundown of the nominees for several prestigious categories:


Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

Three outstanding goalkeepers are in line for this award:

  • Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR) – The 32-year-old helped AS FAR secure the Moroccan domestic championship and reach the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
  • Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC) – Nnadozie, 24, was exceptional for Paris FC in France, earning the title of Goalkeeper of the Season while also representing Nigeria at the Paris Olympic Games.
  • Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) – A stalwart for Mamelodi Sundowns, Dlamini played a crucial role in their domestic league success.


Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)

The men's category includes some of Africa’s top shot-stoppers:

  • Andre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United) – Onana has become a key figure at Manchester United, helping them lift the FA Cup in May.
  • Yahia Fofana (Cote d'Ivoire / Angers SCO) – Fofana, 24, was instrumental in Cote d'Ivoire's triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as Angers' promotion to Ligue 1.
  • Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) – Williams' performances at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations contributed significantly to Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal finish.


Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

The nominees for the women's Interclub Player of the Year are:

  • Lacho Flora Marta (Angola / TP Mazembe) – Marta played a pivotal role in TP Mazembe's CAF Women’s Champions League victory, earning several Player of the Match awards.
  • Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) – The 19-year-old forward won the Golden Boot at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, scoring six goals in five matches.
  • Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR) – Mssoudy, 24, earned the Best Player award at the CAF Women’s Champions League and was a standout performer for AS FAR.


Interclub Player of the Year (Men)

Three standout players are up for the men’s Interclub Player of the Year award:

  • Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek) – Zizo helped Zamalek lift the CAF Confederation Cup and also secured the CAF Super Cup in 2024.
  • Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly) – El Shahat's contributions were key to Al Ahly's domestic and continental successes, including the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League titles.
  • Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) – Williams, also nominated for Men's Player of the Year, played a crucial role in Sundowns’ historic seventh consecutive league title.


Young Player of the Year (Women)

The young stars in African women’s football include:

  • Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar) – The 18-year-old goalkeeper was instrumental in FC Masar’s third-place finish at the CAF Women’s Champions League and won the Golden Glove.
  • Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) – A double nomination for El Madani, who impressed at the CAF Women’s Champions League.
  • Chiamaka Okuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels) – Okuchukwu was a standout performer at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals and also starred for Nigeria at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.


Young Player of the Year (Men)

Several young talents are in the running for the Men’s Young Player of the Year:

  • Karim Konate (Cote d'Ivoire / RB Salzburg) – Konate’s goal-scoring form for RB Salzburg earned him a place in Cote d'Ivoire’s victorious Africa Cup of Nations squad.
  • Oumar Diakite (Cote d'Ivoire / Reims) – Diakite, 20, helped Cote d'Ivoire lift the Africa Cup of Nations and impressed with his performances at Reims.
  • Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco) – A versatile midfielder, Camara has already become a key player for both Monaco and Senegal.


Coach of the Year (Women)

The top women’s coaches this year include:

  • Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe) – Boumehdi led TP Mazembe to the CAF Women’s Champions League title and the domestic competition crown.
  • Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar) – Ramadan guided FC Masar to a surprise third-place finish in their CAF Women’s Champions League debut.
  • Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR) – Despite losing in the CAF Women’s Champions League final, Alioua has developed a promising squad for AS FAR.


Coach of the Year (Men)

The nominees for the men's Coach of the Year are:

  • Emerse Fae (Cote d'Ivoire) – Fae led Cote d'Ivoire to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations after taking over from Jean-Louis Gasset.
  • Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo) – Desabre guided DR Congo to a fourth-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2025 tournament.
  • Hugo Broos (South Africa) – Broos led South Africa to a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations and an unbeaten run in 2024.


National Team of the Year (Women)

The top women’s national teams include:

  • Morocco – Morocco enjoyed a dominant year, winning 10 out of 10 matches, and narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification.
  • Nigeria – Despite a challenging campaign at the Paris Olympic Games, Nigeria showcased the competitiveness of African women’s football.
  • South Africa – Banyana Banyana impressed in qualifiers and their performances against top teams, including England, in 2024.


National Team of the Year (Men)

The men’s national teams nominated for the prestigious award are:

  • Cote d'Ivoire – Cote d'Ivoire’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, on home soil, was a remarkable achievement.
  • Nigeria – Nigeria’s runners-up finish in the Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for Morocco 2025 highlight their strength.
  • South Africa – South Africa’s unbeaten run in 2024, capped by a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations, makes them one of the continent’s top teams.


Club of the Year (Women)

The best women’s clubs this year include:

  • TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – Winners of the CAF Women’s Champions League, Mazembe demonstrated exceptional strength and organization.
  • AS FAR (Morocco) – AS FAR, despite falling in the final, enjoyed a successful season both domestically and continentally.
  • Edo Queens (Nigeria) – A strong performance saw them finish fourth at the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Club of the Year (Men)

The top men’s clubs of 2024 are:

  • Al Ahly (Egypt) – Al Ahly’s dominance continued with a CAF Champions League title, domestic league success, and the CAF Super Cup.
  • Zamalek (Egypt) – Zamalek lifted the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup, showcasing their continental prowess.
  • Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – Sundowns’ record-extending seventh consecutive domestic title highlighted their supremacy in South African football.

As the 2024 CAF Awards approaches, these nominees represent the pinnacle of African football across all levels, with the continent’s best players, teams, and coaches vying for recognition at this prestigious event. Fans across Africa eagerly await the announcement of the winners in what promises to be a spectacular celebration of African football excellence.

Post a Comment

أحدث أقدم