CAF unveils African Ballon d'Or finalists

The CAF 2023 awards gala is approaching and the organisers have finally announced the three finalists who will be voted on for one of them to be named African Player of the Year, succeeding Sadio Mane, who was last year's winner. 

Mohamed Salah is among the three nominees, having again been a crucial player for Liverpool with 30 goals and 16 assists in all competitions last season, although the Reds failed to lift any silverware. 

Achraf Hakimi is another who could be voted alongside the Egyptian winger, after the PSG regular starter was one of the leaders of the Morocco underdogs who reached the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. In addition, the former Real Madrid player won the Ligue 1 title with his team for the second time in a row. 

Finally, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen completes the podium, being the favourite to win the prize after leading Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990 last season, as well as being crucial in the team's run to the quarter-finals of last season's Champions League. The Nigerian scored 31 goals and provided four assists in 39 official appearances for Napoli.

Surprising absentees include Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who played a key role in Morocco's run to the World Cup in Qatar and won the Europa League with Sevilla last season, and Rihad Mahrez, who played a lesser role at Manchester City than in previous seasons but achieved a historic treble with the Sky Blues by winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

The CAF Awards 2023 gala will take place on 11th December in Marrakech, Morocco.

 

December 7, 2023