Former Moroccan international player and current coach of Niger’s national football team, Badou Zaki, ignited controversy on Wednesday after suggesting that Nigerien forward Ademola Lookman deserved the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Player of the Year award more than Morocco’s star defender Achraf Hakimi.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Mars, Zaki said that “while Achraf Hakimi is a world-class player and the best right-back globally, the numbers favored Lookman this year.” However, he added, “Hakimi remains a strong contender for future awards.”
In the interview, Zaki claimed that irregularities had occurred during the voting process. “I encountered several issues while casting my vote,” he maintained. “It appears someone voted on my behalf, despite interventions from both the Moroccan Football Federation and CAF.”
The coach dispelled speculation that Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa had wielded undue influence over the awards. “Lekjaa’s integrity is beyond question. Moroccan players who win do so on merit,” Zaki remarked.
Zaki’s comments have sparked heated debate, especially given Morocco’s football dominance and Hakimi’s acclaim following the Atlas Lions’ historic performance at the 2022 World Cup.
At the awards ceremony on Monday, the announcement of Lookman as the winner of the Player of the Year Award sparked backlash from the audience.
Many in attendance expressed their discontent, shouting accusations such as “You are a thief” as Lookman approached the stage to accept the honor.
Reports suggest that Hakimi, the Moroccan star and a favorite for the award, had been invited to the ceremony under the impression that he would be the recipient of the coveted award.
Video footage later circulated online shows Hakimi speaking with another player, saying that CAF had “deceived” him by leading him to believe he would win the prize.