Boniface misses out as Lookman, Ekong make CAF Player of the Year shortlist

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled its much-anticipated shortlist for the 2024 Men’s Player of the Year award, featuring Nigerian talents Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong among the distinguished nominees.

However, a post by CAF on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter) disclosed that in-form striker Victor Boniface and reigning titleholder Victor Osimhen were notably absent from the final selection.

The ten-man shortlist includes a strong North African presence, with Morocco’s defensive powerhouses Achraf Hakimi and Sofiane Rahimi among the nominees, alongside Algeria’s Amine Gouiri.

Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra also features after a stellar club season, while DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy have earned their places following outstanding performances throughout the year.

Completing the list are Burkina Faso’s Edmond Tapsoba and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, reflecting the breadth of talent across the African continent.

The nominees, representing various top leagues in Europe and Africa, highlight the increasing global impact of African football.

This year’s selection blends established football stars with emerging talent, all recognised for their exceptional performances and consistency throughout 2024.

The CAF Awards 2024 will determine who will succeed Osimhen as Africa’s top player, with the ceremony set to celebrate the finest football talent from across the continent.