In a celebration of African football’s stars, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled on Thursday the list of nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards, with Morocco featuring prominently with seven nominations in different categories.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 16 in Morocco’s Red City, Marrakech for the second consecutive year.
The ceremony will recognize African footballers’ and clubs’ outstanding achievements from January to October 2024.
In the African Player of the Year race, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain is a top contender, having been a finalist last year but losing to Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. Fellow Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi, who plays for Al Ain in the UAE, is also in the competition.
Both players have been instrumental in their clubs’ successes and are widely regarded as key figures in Moroccan football.
Munir El Kajoui of RS Berkane was nominated for the African Goalkeeper of the Year award in recognition of his consistent performances for both his club and country, showcasing the quality of Moroccan players on the continent.
The Moroccan national team, known as the Atlas Lions, was selected for the National Team of the Year award, having previously won the title for its impressive performances in various international competitions.
The recognition highlights the team’s prominence as a powerhouse in African football, particularly in light of its performance at the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in African history.
Young talents Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City and Eliesse Ben Seghir of AS Monaco were both nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, reinforcing Morocco’s commitment to nurturing young footballers.
RS Berkane’s nomination for Club of the Year also serves to reinforce the kingdom’s leading position in African football.
The awards feature a selection of categories, with ten nominees in each, ensuring a diverse representation of talent across the continent.