2024 African Player of the Year Finalists: Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi Among the Elite

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently revealed the ten finalists for the 2024 African Player of the Year award, sparking excitement and debate in the football world. This prestigious award, set to be presented at the CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco this December, honors Africa’s finest talents. Among those in the spotlight are Atalanta’s forward Ademola Lookman and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, whose standout seasons have earned them recognition as potential winners.

The list also includes standout players like Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong, Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations MVP Amine Gouiri (Rennes), and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ivorian forward Simon Adingra. The selection is a showcase of diverse talents, with players such as Borussia Dortmund’s Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), and DR Congo’s defensive powerhouse Chancel Mbemba (Olympique Marseille).

Notably absent from the shortlist are 2023’s African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, and Bayer Leverkusen’s prolific forward Victor Boniface, whose impressive club performances—including a Bundesliga title and Europa League final appearance—left fans puzzled over his exclusion.

This year’s shortlist captures the continent’s top talent across Europe’s elite leagues and beyond, offering a testament to the rise and influence of African players on the global stage. The CAF Awards will not only celebrate individual excellence but also inspire the next generation of African stars, as Lookman, Hakimi, and others strive to etch their names in African football history.