Who will succeed Victor Osimhen? The Nigerian forward, crowned African Player of the Year in 2023, is not in the running for the prestigious “African Ballon d’Or” in 2024. Based on the shortlist of 10 players revealed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the editorial team at Afrik-Foot.com has reviewed the contenders to choose their favorite for the African Player of the Year award, set to be announced on December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco.
The CAF clarified that the evaluation period for selecting candidates spans from January to October 2024.
10. Amine Gouiri
Amine Gouiri’s inclusion on the shortlist for African Player of the Year has surprised many observers, as he was not initially expected to be in the running. The Algerian forward, who missed the AFCON and recorded only 7 goals and 3 assists with Rennes during the evaluation period, owes his nomination largely to his recent 4 goals for the national team.
Although respectable, his overall performance seems unlikely to place him higher than tenth and doesn’t quite compensate for the notable absences of players like Brahim Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sébastien Haller, or Ayoub El Kaabi—all considered more deserving by many fans.
9. Chancel Mbemba
Wearing the captain’s armband, Chancel Mbemba played a pivotal role in leading DR Congo to the AFCON semifinals, marking their first appearance at this stage since 2015. A rock-solid defender, he made a notable impact by scoring in the quarterfinals against Guinea (3-1), earning widespread respect. Additionally, Mbemba reached the Europa League semifinals with Olympique de Marseille. However, his rather average second half of the season with OM in Ligue 1, coupled with his sidelining at the club since summer, may limit him to the lower ranks of the list.
8. Edmond Tapsoba
Edmond Tapsoba is another surprise inclusion among the top 10 candidates. With an impressive Bundesliga-German Cup double and a German Super Cup title secured with Bayer Leverkusen—dubbed “the invincible” for their dominance—the central defender boasts a strong list of achievements. However, his performance at AFCON was underwhelming, with Burkina Faso exiting in the round of 16. As a result, Tapsoba may struggle to rise above the lower ranks of the standings.
7. William Troost-Ekong
The inclusion of the best player from AFCON 2023 in this lineup follows a certain logic. As a finalist with Nigeria, the central defender anchored a strong backline, achieving 4 clean sheets in 7 games and contributing offensively with 3 goals. However, his club season was far less remarkable; although he won the Greek championship with PAOK Salonika, he missed the entire second half of the season due to injury.
6. Achraf Hakimi
As the first of two Moroccans on the CAF shortlist, Achraf Hakimi boasts an impressive record. He secured the French league title with Paris Saint-Germain, reached the Champions League semifinals, and won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, all while serving as captain. However, Morocco’s early exit in the AFCON round of 16, highlighted by his missed penalty against South Africa, may hurt his chances for the African Ballon d’Or and keep him out of the Top 5.
5. Ronwen Williams
Ronwen Williams’ inclusion among the 10 finalists for the Yachine Trophy has brought the South African goalkeeper into the spotlight. Named best goalkeeper of the last AFCON, where South Africa secured 3rd place, Williams shone by saving four penalties in the shootout against Cape Verde in the quarterfinals and two more against DR Congo in the third-place match.
The Bafana Bafana completed the tournament with four clean sheets, and it’s worth noting that Williams also led Mamelodi Sundowns to victory in the inaugural African Football League, saving two penalties along the way. However, this achievement, occurring in November 2023, falls outside the reference period for this ranking.
4. Simon Adingra
While many expected Sébastien Haller or even Odilon Kossounou, with his accomplishments at Bayer Leverkusen, the CAF surprised by selecting Simon Adingra as the only Ivorian African champion on the shortlist. Adingra was named Man of the Match in the final after delivering two assists and scoring a crucial equalizer against Mali in the quarterfinals. He was also recognized as the Best Young Player of the tournament.
Adingra’s explosive play and dribbling skills have captivated fans, and his talent at just 22 is unquestionable. However, his uncertain starting position at Brighton and a mixed club season (only 3 goals and one assist in the Premier League, plus 3 goals in the League Cup) might hinder his chances of making it to the podium.
3. Soufiane Rahimi
Soufiane Rahimi has just completed an exceptional year! His standout achievement: finishing as the top scorer at the Paris 2024 Olympics with 8 goals, earning a bronze medal in the process. Additionally, the Moroccan clinched the Asian Champions League title, once again as the top scorer with 13 goals. However, his position in a lesser-known league and his role as a substitute for the national team (he wasn’t selected for AFCON) may limit his chances of climbing higher in the rankings.
2. Serhou Guirassy
For many, the recently signed Borussia Dortmund striker was viewed as Africa’s best player of the year, and he openly expressed his ambition to claim the title. However, his omission from the Ballon d’Or’s 30-man shortlist surprised many and raised questions.
The Guinean forward still boasts an impressive record, with 19 goals across 2024 for Stuttgart and Dortmund, setting early season scoring records before ultimately being overtaken by Harry Kane for the 2023/24 top scorer title.
However, his more inconsistent performances for the national team, especially during an injury-affected AFCON, have weighed against him. Still, Guirassy stands as the top scorer in the CAN 2025 qualifiers, with 5 goals in just 2 matches. The precedent set in 2015, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was awarded the title based on his club performance over Yaya Touré, the AFCON winner, suggests Guirassy could still be in strong contention, though not without controversy.
1. Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman, the only African to be shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or this year, where he ranked 14th, is a strong contender for African Player of the Year. As a finalist at AFCON with Nigeria, the winger made his mark by scoring three crucial goals, helping to eliminate Cameroon in the round of 16 and Angola in the quarterfinals, establishing himself as one of the tournament’s standout players.
On the club front, Lookman shone with 15 goals in 2024, including a remarkable hat-trick in the Europa League final, which he won with Atalanta Bergamo. Among the leading candidates, Lookman showcases one of the best balances between club and international performances, making him a legitimate successor to his compatriot for this prestigious title.
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