The annual African Football Awards ceremony is set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco, where the continent’s star performers from the past year will be honored. With luminaries such as Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and El Hadji Diouf in attendance, the event promises to celebrate the remarkable achievements and outstanding performances witnessed in African football over the past 12 months. Before the winners are announced, let’s dive into each category and analyze the contenders for the top prizes.
One of the most anticipated awards of the night is the Player of the Year (Men). This year, Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian forward, stands as a strong contender for the title. Osimhen’s historic achievement in inspiring Napoli to their first Italian title in 33 years cannot be overlooked. His 26 goals in 32 outings not only secured him the Serie A Golden Boot but also broke records, surpassing George Weah as the top-scoring African player in Serie A history. Osimhen’s impact on Napoli, both on and off the pitch, sets him apart from his African peers and makes him the favorite for this prestigious award.
Asisat Oshoala, after winning both the Champions League and the Spanish title with Barcelona, appears to be the overwhelming favorite to retain her title as the Player of the Year (Women). Her outstanding performances, including scoring four goals in Europe and finishing third in the Liga F scoring charts, make her a deserving candidate. However, Barbra Banda, whose sensational form for Shanghai Shengli has been remarkable, poses as a tough competition for Oshoala. Nevertheless, it is highly likely that Oshoala will secure her sixth consecutive award.
In the National Team of the Year category, both the men’s and women’s teams from Morocco are strong contenders. The men’s team’s impressive performance in Qatar, including overcoming tough opponents and breaking new ground for the continent, makes them a clear favorite. Meanwhile, the women’s team’s achievement of qualifying for their maiden World Cup and advancing to the knockout stage against all odds solidify their position as serious contenders. A clean sweep for Morocco in this category would not come as a surprise.
Al-Ahly, under the leadership of Marcel Koller, should be the favored club in the Men’s Club of the Year category. Their domestic dominance and success in the CAF Champions League make them a strong candidate. However, the inclusion of Wydad Casablanca, who failed to secure titles in both the Botola and the Moroccan Cup, raises questions about their presence in the final three. In the Women’s Club of the Year category, Mamelodi Sundowns’ treble-winning campaign, including the Champions League crown, sets them as the club to beat.
The Young Player of the Year category is expected to witness a Senegalese one-two. Lamine Camara, following a breakout campaign that saw him succeed his compatriot Pape Sarr, is likely to take the crown. Camara’s impressive performances in winning both the African Nations Championship and the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations make him a deserving winner. In the women’s category, Comfort Yeboah’s outstanding display in the Champions League, coupled with her two-goal performance against reigning champions AS FAR, puts her in contention for the award.
With a shortlist of 12 wondergoals, African football fans have a challenging task in selecting the Goal of the Year. Teboho Mokoena’s thunderous effort for Sundowns against Al-Ahly and Mahmoud Saber’s first-time strike from 30 yards in the U-23 AFCON final both stand out as exceptional goals. However, the ultimate decision lies in the hands of the voters.
Yassine Bounou, despite missing out on the Player of the Year shortlist, is the overwhelming favorite for the Goalkeeper of the Year (Men). His stellar performances during the World Cup and his second Europa League crown with Sevilla establish him as the front-runner. Mohamed El Shenawy, with his notable contributions to Ahly’s successful season, is a worthy runner-up. In the women’s category, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s clean sheets and impressive penalty stop during the Women’s World Cup make her the standout candidate.
For the Coach of the Year (Men), Walid Regragui of Morocco should be the undisputed victor. His instrumental role in leading the Atlas Lions to the World Cup semifinals and instilling spirit and unity in the team make him an exemplary coach. The women’s category presents a tough competition between Reynald Pedros, Jerry Tshabalala, and Desiree Ellis. Tshabalala’s treble-winning campaign with Mamelodi Sundowns and Pedros’ groundbreaking achievements with the Atlas Lionesses make them the front-runners, leaving Ellis as the outsider.
As the African Football Awards ceremony approaches, the anticipation and excitement continue to build. Each category holds its own set of strong contenders, showcasing the wealth of talent and achievements across African football. Whether it’s the outstanding performances of individuals, successful national teams, dominant clubs, or visionary coaches, this year’s awards promise to celebrate the best of African football. Fans around the continent and the world eagerly await the announcement of the winners, ready to applaud and honor their favorite athletes and teams.