The list of 30 nominated for the African Player of the Year trophy, awarded by CAF, caused a scandal due to the absence of Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, finalist of the Champions League.
After the France Football Ballon d’Or, it is the “African Ballon d’Or” which is causing controversy. The African Confederation unveiled the list of 30 nominees for the African Player of the Year trophy, one month before the 2023 CAF Awards (December 11 in Marrakech). The prize will reward the best African player over the period from November 2022 to September 2023.
An absence panics followers of African football. André Onana does not appear in the list established by CAF. The Cameroonian goalkeeper certainly slammed the door of the Indomitable Lions in the middle of the World Cup in Qatar, but he was then excellent with Inter Milan until the final of the Champions League. For his European performances, he finished 23rd in the Ballon d’Or! Others regret the absences of Nayef Aguerd, Ismaël Bennacer or Ellyes Skhiri.
The African Ballons d’Or Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané (who is a double title holder) are well named, as well as Chancel Mbemba, Achraf Hakimi, Ramy Bensebaini, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Azzedine Ounahi, Seko Fofana, Serhou Guirassy or Vincent Aboubacar. Victor Osimhen, top scorer in Serie A, and Yassine Bounou, decisive in Morocco’s goals at the World Cup, seem the two favorites.
