The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has recently unveiled the list of nominees for the men’s categories, and thus for Moroccan players, clubs, and coaches to have the opportunity to bring home awards. Morocco’s football prowess takes center stage in the prelude to the CAF Awards Gala scheduled for December 11, 2023 in Marrakech.
The prestigious CAF African Player of the Year award stands out in particular, with 30 outstanding players competing for the coveted title. Among them, seven Moroccan footballers have secured nominations: Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, Yahya Jabrane, Yassine Bounou, and Youssef El Motie. Their stellar performances in European and national leagues have earned them a place on this exclusive list.
Regragui’s men are also present in the Interclub Player of the Year with three names: Yahia Attiyat Allah, Yahya Jabrane, and Youssef El Motie.
Surprisingly, in this edition, CAF has introduced the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year category for men, celebrating the shot-stoppers who often go unnoticed. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Youssef El Motie have been recognized for their exceptional contributions in the goalkeeping scene.
Furthermore, Moroccan talent doesn’t stop at the senior level. The CAF Young Player of the Year category features Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Bilal El Khannous, two promising Moroccan youngsters who have showcased their potential.
When it comes to club football, Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic and Wydad Athletic Club have received well-deserved nominations for the CAF Club of the Year award. These Moroccan giants have consistently proven their worth on the continental stage.
Morocco’s success story doesn’t end there. The Atlas Lions, Morocco’s national team, have been nominated for the CAF National Team of the Year award, a testament to their impressive performances. Additionally, Morocco’s Coach Walid Regragui has been recognized with a nomination for the CAF Coach of the Year, reflecting his excellent leadership of the national team.
The ultimate winners in each category will be decided through a rigorous voting process, including input from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches, and captains of member associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.