Morocco’s presence in the 2023 CAF Awards categories remains strong

Morocco maintains a strong presence in the top three nominees lists for the CAF Awards 2023, as the country leads in 12 out of 14 categories, according to the latest CAF press release issued only a few days before the ceremony.

Achraf Hakimi is the only remaining Moroccan footballer competing for the “Player of the Year” award in the men’s category alongside the International Egyptian Mohamed Salah and the Nigerian Victor Osimhen.

As for the women’s category, Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, and Ghizlaine Chebbak no longer compete for the “Player of the Year.” Instead, the list is limited to the Nigerian Asisat Oshoala, South African Thembi Kgatlana, and Zambian Barbara Banda.

Unfortunately, no male Moroccan footballer appears on the top three nominees list for “Interclub Player of the Year.” Only the Congolese Fiston Mayele, Namibian Peter Shalulile, and South African Percy Tau compete in this category.

Fatima Tagnaout, on the other hand, secured a spot in the top three nominees for the same award in the women’s category. She is competing now against the Botswanan Refilwe Tholakele and South African Lebohang Ramalepe.

Morocco is also featured in the “Coach of the Year” categories for men and women.

Walid Regragui is competing now against the Algerian Abdelhak Benchika and the Senegalese Aliou Cisse,

In the women’s category, former Altas Lionesses coach Reynald Pedros is up against Desiree Ellis (South Africa), and Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns).

Yassine Bounou, the 3rd best goalkeeper in the world, was featured in the “Goalkeeper of the Year” in the men’s category for the CAF Awards 2023, and he is competing against the Cameroonian Andre Onana and the Egyptian Mohammed El Shenawy.

Khadija Er-Rmichi also appears in the women’s category for the “Goalkeeper of the Year,” competing against the Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie and South African Andile Dlamini.

For the “Young Player of the Year” in the men’s category, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is competing against the Senegalese Lamine Camara and Amara Diouf.

In the women’s division, Nesryne El Chad secured a spot next to the Ghanaian Comfort Yeboah and the Nigerian Deborah Abiodun.

The Moroccan national team appears among the top three nominees for the “National Team of the Year” in women’s and men’s categories, acknowledging the respective teams’ achievements in World Cup Qatar 2022 and World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

As for the “Club of the Year” in the men’s division, Wydad Athletic Club competes against Al Ahly from Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.

In the women’s category, AS FAR and Sporting Casablanca are up against Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.

Only 4 days away from the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony, which will be held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech.

The eventual winner of each category is determined by a panel comprised of CAF Technical Committee members, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches and captains of Member Associations, and teams participating in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.