topnaijanews Stay informed with the latest Nigerian news at your fingertips
On December 16, the best African footballers of2024 will be announced at the CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco. The best sports betting site1xBet discusses the prestigious award and those whomay make their mark in the history of Africanfootball.
African Player of the Year
The award for the best footballer on the continent hasexisted since 1970, when it was first presented byFrance Football magazine. Since 1992, theConfederation of African Football, an official partnerof global betting company 1xBet, has organized theceremony. The record holders for the most awardsare Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o and Ivorianmidfielder Yaya Touré, both of whom have won thetitle 4 times.
In 2024, five footballers will compete for the CAF African Player of the Year title: Serhou Guirassy(Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi(Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain), Ademola Lookman(Nigeria/Atalanta), Simon Adingra (IvoryCoast/Brighton), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).
African Goalkeeper of the Year
The Best Goalkeeper Award was introduced in 2002 but was given for only 4 years. Last year, theConfederation of African Football brought back theaward to highlight the key role goalkeepers play intheir teams’ successes.
This year, the candidates for the CAF Goalkeeper ofthe Year award are André Onana(Cameroon/Manchester United), Yahia Fofana (IvoryCoast/Angers), Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir (Egypt/Al Ahly Cairo), Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria/ChippaUnited), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).
Analysis of nominees and prediction
In May, Ademola Lookman scored 3 goals againstBayer in the Europa League final and had previouslyhelped the Nigeria national team reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The forward has been inexcellent shape in the new season, scoring 9 goalsand providing 5 assists in 13 matches.
Lookman’sperformances for Atalanta in 2024 earned him a spotin the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or.
Serhou Guirassy also had an outstanding season lastyear. Scoring 30 goals in 30 matches for Stuttgarthelped him secure a move to Borussia Dortmund, who were finalists in the previous Champions League edition. In his new team, he has alreadyscored 10 goals.
Achraf Hakimi helped the Morocco national teamwin its first Olympic medal and secured 3 trophieswith Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, SimonAdingra of Brighton deserves praise for hisoutstanding role in leading the Ivory Coast nationalteam to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is theonly keeper among the nominees for the AfricanPlayer of the Year award. He earned his spot in thelist thanks to his consistent performances throughoutthe year and his heroic display in the Africa Cup ofNations quarterfinal. Williams saved four penalties inthe post-match shootout of the South Africa vs CapeVerde game, helping Bafana Bafana reach thetournament’s semifinals for the first time since 2000.
Ronwen Williams is also competing for theGoalkeeper of the Year award. His main rival isManchester United goalkeeper André Onana. The past season was challenging for the Cameroonian, but in the new campaign, he has consistentlyshowcased his quality with incredible saves.
According to our experts, the CAF African Player ofthe Year award should go to Ademola Lookman, while the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award shouldbe given to Ronwen Williams.
Follow the performances of the best Africanfootballers, make predictions on the best sportsbetting site 1xBet, and win alongside your idols!
