The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the finalists for the 2024 African Player of the Year award, with Mohamed Salah’s exclusion sparking surprise among fans and analysts. Salah, a two-time winner of the accolade in 2017 and 2018, has long been regarded as one of the best players globally, thanks to his exceptional performances for Liverpool.
In the 2023/24 season, Salah showcased his prowess with 25 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph. His outstanding form has continued into the current season, where he has already registered 16 goals and 12 assists in just 22 games, further highlighting his consistency and importance to the team. Despite these impressive numbers, the Egyptian forward did not make the final shortlist for the prestigious award.
The five finalists include Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Ademola Lookman, and Ronwen Williams. While Salah’s individual achievements are remarkable, his absence from the shortlist may be linked to Liverpool’s limited success last season on a broader scale. Apart from the Carabao Cup victory, the team fell short in other major competitions, which might have affected his chances in the CAF rankings.
In contrast, the finalists have notable achievements that likely bolstered their candidacy. Ademola Lookman, for instance, played a key role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League victory, scoring a hat-trick in the final to secure their first European trophy. Simon Adingra shone brightly during the African Cup of Nations, delivering standout performances that caught the attention of the footballing world.
The frontrunner for the award appears to be Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, who had an extraordinary 2023/24 season with Stuttgart. Guirassy scored 30 goals in as many games, helping his team secure a second-place finish in the Bundesliga—a remarkable feat that underscores his rise as one of Africa’s top talents. His consistency and impact make him a strong favorite to claim the 2024 African Player of the Year title.
While Salah’s omission has surprised many, it highlights how team achievements can influence individual recognition in awards like this. Despite his personal excellence, the collective successes of players like Lookman and Guirassy seem to have given them the edge in the competition. As the footballing world awaits the announcement of the winner, it’s clear that the selection has stirred debate, particularly regarding the balance between individual brilliance and team accomplishments.
