The African Player of the Year nominees have been revealed and there some big names missing from the final shortlist.
Mohamed Salah, who has placed in the top three of the voting in each of the previous five editions and won the award in 2017 and 2018, is not included. Although the disappointing Africa Cup of Nations, where the Egyptian suffered a hamstring injury, has contributed to his exclusion, Salah finished the previous season with 25 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Liverpool.Along with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, the winner of the award the previous year, is not among the nominees. The latter won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award after leading Leverkusen to the Bundesliga championship and DFB-Pokal victory the previous season.
Boniface responded to his exclusion on social media by posting on X: “Team of the season, rookie of the season.” No worries, I no play AFCON. Na why I dey wait for memes d’or.”The final 10-player shortlist includes Edmond Tapsoba, Boniface’s teammate. Serhou Guirassy, who finished second to Harry Kane for the European Golden Shoe, is a strong contender, as is Ademola Lookman of Atalanta. Last season, the Nigerian scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, helping Atalanta to victory.
The latter helped Leverkusen to Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal success last season and was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.In response to his omission, Boniface took to social media, writing on X: “Rookie of the season, Team of the season. No worries, I no play AFCON. Na why I dey wait for memes d’or.”Boniface’s teammate, Edmond Tapsoba, is named on the final 10-player shortlist. Serhou Guirassy, who finished as runner-up to Harry Kane for the European Golden Shoe, is in contention for the prize, with Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman also a frontrunner. The Nigerian scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final as Atalanta won the competition last season.
African Player of the Year 2024 nominees
Amine Gouiri – Rennes and Algeria
Edmond Tapsoba – Bayer Leverkusen and Burkina Faso
Simon Adingra – Brighton and Ivory Coast
Chancel Mbemba – Porto and DR Congo
Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund and Guinea
Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco
Soufiane Rahimi – Al Ain and Morocco
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta and Nigeria
William Troost-Ekong – Al-Kholood and Nigeria
Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa