CAF Awards 2024: could Hakimi pull a Rodri?
Achraf Hakimi could pip everyone to the post. The Moroccan looks "destined" to be named African Player of the Year
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Amine Gouiri, Edmond Tapsoba, Simon Adingra, Chancel Mbemba, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Soufiane Rahimi, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong and Ronwen Williams: those are the 10 finalists for the 2024 African Player of the Year award. An epic contest is in store between these stars of the continent. And while the winner has been known weeks in advance for several years, this time the race looks tighter, even if one man could come out ahead of the rest, so "destined" does he seem to take it.
First defender to win it?
The African Player of the Year award has carried that name since 1992. And at the 2024 CAF Awards, Achraf Hakimi could well become the first defender to win a prize that has been the preserve of forwards and midfielders ever since. Indeed, the last time an African defender was named best footballer of the year, the award was still called the African Ballon d'Or and was presented by France Football. That was in 1973, when Zaire defender Tshimen Bwanga won it.
Achraf Hakimi could therefore make history. All the more so as no Moroccan player has won the title since Moustapha Hadji in 1998, when Hakimi was only a month old. The right-back can point to his 2024 honours, with the French league title and an Olympic bronze medal with Morocco. However, at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Atlas Lions were knocked out in the last 16…
Hakimi to do a Rodri?
The 26-year-old therefore has a strong case. What's more, his professionalism, his class and his performances on the pitch (notably 2 goals and 1 assist at the Olympics), along with a strong start to the season at PSG, where he has 2 goals and 3 assists in 11 games in all competitions, could work in his favour. There could therefore be a consensus around the Moroccan, just as there was for Rodri at the Ballon d'Or, which he won ahead of Vinicius Junior.
Serhou Guirassy or Ademola Lookman could see the votes split… The ceremony takes place in Morocco on 16 December, where we will see whether the Atlas Lion is honoured on home soil. But it's fair to say the right-back looks "destined" to prevail.
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