How CAF Award winners are decided
By Tosin Omojola
The 2024 edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards is in the spotlight, with discussions and predictions about the potential winners of these prestigious honors gaining momentum.
Renowned for celebrating Africa’s finest football talents, the CAF Awards consistently captivate audiences across the continent. This year’s edition, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, promises to maintain this tradition of excellence.
CAF has unveiled the nominees for each award category, with significant attention drawn to the Men’s Player of the Year award. This category, in particular, has sparked widespread interest. Recently, the governing body narrowed the shortlist for this highly coveted prize to five finalists.
The final nominees, as announced on CAF’s official platforms, include:
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Although football enthusiasts and stakeholders have tipped Ademola Lookman as a strong contender, it is important to note that such endorsements have no influence on the official voting process.
The winners of the CAF Awards are determined through a structured voting process involving a diverse panel, as outlined by CAF Online. This panel comprises:
The CAF Technical Committee
Media professionals
Head coaches and captains of CAF Member Associations
Representatives from clubs participating in the group stages of CAF Interclub competitions
These groups collaborate to ensure the most deserving individuals and teams are recognized for their achievements.
In the 2023 edition, Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala claimed the Men’s Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year awards, respectively. However, the 2024 edition will see new champions crowned, as neither Osimhen nor Oshoala made the final shortlist this year.
As the countdown to December 16 continues, football fans across Africa eagerly await the announcement of the winners, celebrating the best of the continent’s footballing talent.
