Sports
CAF Unveils Men’s Nominees For 2023 Awards [Full List]
Nominees for the men’s categories of the CAF Awards 2023, set for Dec. 11 in Marrakech, Morocco, were unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The preliminary list was compiled by a panel comprising CAF Technical Experts, African Football Legends, and media representatives from various countries, as stated on the CAF website on Wednesday.
The evaluation period for nominees’ performance spans from November 2022 to September 2023, as stated in the announcement.
The statement reads “Thirty (30) players made the cut for the top prize; CAF African Player of the Year, whilst 20 players have been nominated for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year.
“Coach of the Year, CAF National Team of the Year and Club of the Year have ten (10) nominees each just as CAF Young Player of the Year – for players under the age of 21”
In a notable first, CAF has introduced the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year Category (Men and Women) for the upcoming prestigious event.
The newly added award aims to recognize and honor outstanding players, officials, and administrators for their contributions during the evaluation period from November 2022 to September 2023.
“It will be the first time that shot stoppers will be acknowledged for their performances, further expanding the network of winners for the annual event. 10 players have been nominated for the novel award.
“The ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel.
“The panel will consist of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.
“The nominees for the Women’s categories will be announced in due course,”
Full List of Nominees:
Player of the Year (Men)
Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria and Borussia Dortmund)
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Al Ahli)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso and Bayer Leverkusen)
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon and SSC Napoli)
Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon and Besiktas)
Ibrahima Sangare (Cote d’Ivoire and Nottingham Forest)
Seko Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire and Al Nassr)
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo and Olympique Marseille)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Pyramids)
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana and West Ham United)
Thomas Partey (Ghana and Arsenal)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and VfB Stuttgart)
Yves Bissouma (Mali and Tottenham Hotspur)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain)
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco and Olympique Marseille)
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Galatasaray)
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco and Manchester United)
Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al Hilal)
Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco and Sevilla)
Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and SSC Napoli)
Sadio Mane (Senegal and Al Nassr)
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Ferencvaros)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)
Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco & Al Hilal)
Andre Onana (Cameroon and Manchester United)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
Edouard Mendy (Senegal and Al Ahli)
Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
Pape Mamadou Sy (Senegal and Generation Foot)
Landing Badji (Senegal and AS Pikine)
Interclub Player of the Year (Men)
Aymen Mahious (Algeria and USM Alger/Yverdon-Sport)
Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
Zineddine Belaid (Algeria and USM Alger)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Young Africans/Pyramids)
Makabi Lilepo (DR Congo and Al Hilal/Valenciennes)
Hussein El Shahat (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
Mostafa Fathi (Egypt and Pyramids)
Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
Yahia Attiyat Allah (Morocco and Wydad Club Athletic)
Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
Ranga Chivaviro (South Africa and Marumo Gallants/Kaizer Chiefs)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ali Maaloul (Tunisia and Al Ahly)
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Esperance Sportive de Tunis /Ferencvaros)
Young Player of the Year (Men)
Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso and Bournemouth)
Souleymane Alio (Burkina Faso and New Stars)
Ernest Nuamah (Ghana & Olympique Lyonnais)
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco and Betis)
Bilal El Khannous (Morocco and Genk)
Gift Orban (Nigeria and KAA Gent)
Lamine Camara (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
Pape Amadou Diallo (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
Pape Demba Diop (Senegal and Zulte Waregem)
Amara Diouf (Senegal and Generation Foot)
Coach of the Year (Men)
Abdelhak Benchikha (USM Alger)
Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
Juan Micha Obiang (Equatorial Guinea)
Tom Saintfiet (The Gambia)
Baciro Cande (Guinea Bissau)
Amir Abdou (Mauritania)
Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique)
Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Pape Thiaw (Senegal – CHAN)
National Team of the Year (Men)
Cape Verde
The Gambia
Guinea Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Mauritania
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Senegal
Tanzania
Club of the Year (Men)
CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
USM Alger (Algeria)
ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Raja Club Athletic (Morocco)
Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Marumo Gallants (South Africa)
Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Young Africans (Tanzania).
Belgium have suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup Group G clash against Iran after star winger Jeremy Doku was ruled out of the match due to illness.
The Belgian Football Association confirmed on Saturday that the Manchester City forward would not be available for selection when the Red Devils take on Iran at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
SEE ALSO: FIFA Unveils 2026 World Cup Power Rankings After Opening Round of Matches
“Due to illness, Jeremy Doku will not be part of the squad for our upcoming game against Iran,” Belgium announced in a statement on social media.
Doku featured in Belgium’s opening World Cup fixture against Egypt, which ended in a 1-1 draw. However, the 24-year-old struggled to make a significant impact and was replaced by Matias Fernandez-Pardo late in the game.
His absence comes as Belgium seek their first victory of the tournament and attempt to strengthen their chances of progressing from Group G.
With the Red Devils under pressure to deliver after dropping points in their opener, Doku’s unavailability is expected to be a significant blow to coach Rudi Garcia’s plans.
The Manchester City star is regarded as one of Belgium’s brightest talents and a key figure in the country’s efforts to rebuild following the disappointing group-stage exit of their famed “golden generation” at the 2022 World Cup.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding his tournament participation, Doku could also miss a potential knockout-stage fixture, as his wife is expected to give birth to their first child during the second week of July.
Belgium will now look to overcome Iran without one of their most dangerous attacking players as they aim to get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has reportedly agreed a deal to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF, in a stunning move that will see him team up with football legend Lionel Messi.
The 34-year-old is set to leave Manchester United at the end of his contract, bringing an end to his spell in the English Premier League.
According to transfer reports from football journalist Fabrizio Romano, all parties have reached a verbal agreement, with only final paperwork and official announcement remaining to complete the move.
ALSO READ: Chaos In Kolkata As Fans React To Messi’s Sudden Exit
Casemiro, who previously enjoyed a highly successful career at Real Madrid, is expected to bring experience and stability to Inter Miami’s midfield as the club continues to build a star-studded squad around Messi.
Despite a challenging spell at Old Trafford, the Brazilian regained form toward the end of the season, helping Manchester United push for European qualification.
However, both player and club reportedly agreed not to extend his contract, paving the way for a fresh challenge in the United States.
Inter Miami are believed to have beaten interest from clubs in Europe and the Middle East to secure the midfielder’s signature, with the opportunity to play alongside Messi seen as a major factor in his decision.
If completed, the move will further strengthen Inter Miami’s ambitions in Major League Soccer, adding another high-profile name to their growing list of global stars.
Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi will face trial in France over a rape allegation linked to a 2023 incident, after a French appeals court confirmed on Friday that the case will proceed to a criminal court.
The ruling represents a major legal development for the Paris Saint-Germain defender, although no date has yet been fixed for the start of the trial.
ALSO READ: AFCON 2025: Morocco Eye Top Spot As Hakimi Makes First Appearance
Hakimi, who has consistently denied all allegations, remains one of the most high-profile African players in world football and a key figure for both club and country.
Allegation dates back to 2023
The case began in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman reported to police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris, that she was raped at Hakimi’s residence.
Investigators say the woman claimed she met Hakimi on Instagram and later visited his home in a taxi allegedly arranged by him.
She further alleged that unwanted advances were made before the situation escalated, adding that she managed to push him away and later contacted a friend who came to pick her up.
Hakimi maintains innocence
Following the court ruling on Friday, Hakimi insisted he is ready to defend himself, saying:
“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. At last, I’ll be able to speak.”
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, also stressed that the decision does not indicate guilt, stating: “Nothing here says that he is guilty of anything, he remains steadfast in his defence.”
Complainant speaks out
The complainant, identified as “Jeanne,” told French media outlet Mediapart that she is seeking justice and wants her voice heard in court: “I want to defend myself, to be heard. I want to explain myself. I want people to believe me,” she said.
Her lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, described the ruling as bringing “relief and hope” to her client.
A trial date has not yet been announced as the case moves forward in the French judicial system.
June 20 Polls: INEC Presents Certificates of Return to Elected Candidates
BREAKING: Tinubu Sends State Police Bill to Senate as Nigeria Moves to Overhaul Security System
Why Taraba Sanitation Agency Slashed Street Sweepers’ Allowance Again to ₦10,000
‘They Died Instantly’ — Survivor Speaks on Deadly Plateau Ambush That Claimed Two Lives
Ibadan Chief Knocks Fayose Over Attacks on Makinde, Issues Strong Warning
Minister Orders Security Operatives to Wade into Souring LPG Prices
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
