Morocco Dominates CAF Awards Finalists List
The nation hosting the 2023 CAF Awards, Morocco, is featured in all but two categories of the finalists list released today. From the coaches right through to the player awards Moroccans dominate the awards which are set for Monday the 11th of December.
Only the Women Player of the Year and Men Interclub Player of the Year do not have a Moroccan. The country’s successful spell on the global football stage is the catalyst for the huge number of nominations. Morocco’s men and women national teams qualified for the FIFA World Cups and both had good runs. The men’s team made history by becoming the first African team to make it to the semifinals of the global football extravaganza.
South Africa is also prominent on the finalists list. Desiree Ellis and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Jerry Tshabalala make up two thirds of the Women’s Coach of the Year category while USA-based Thembi Kgatlana made it onto the final Women Player of the Year nominees. Percy Tau, Lebohang Ramalepe, and the extremely popular Andile Dlamini will also be vying for awards as proudly South Africans.
Player of the Year (Men)
The CAF Awards are being held in Morocco because no other African country seems to have the will or financial muscle to host the event. No other country bid to host this year’s awards ceremony according to CAF officials.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
Player of the Year (Women)
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)
Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo, Pyramids)
Peter Shalulile (Namibia, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year (Men)
Abdelhak Benchika (Algeria, Simba SC)
Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Coach of the Year (Women)
Reynald Pedros (Morocco)
Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)
Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)
Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt, Al Ahly)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Young Player of the Year (Men)
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco, Real Betis)
Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)
Amara Diouf (Senegal, Metz)
Young Player of the Year (Women)
Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)
Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburgh Panthers)
National Team of the Year (Men)
Gambia
Morocco
Senegal
National Team of the Year (Women)
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Club of the Year (Men)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club of the Year (Women)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Sporting Casablanca (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
