CAF Awards: Acharf Hakimi eyes Player of the Year win over Ademola Lookman

By Monsurah Olatunji

Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is eager to secure his first-ever CAF Player of the Year award, with the prestigious accolade set to be presented on December 16 in Morocco.

The Moroccan international has been nominated alongside some of Africa’s top football talent for the highly anticipated award.

This marks the second consecutive year that Hakimi has received the nomination, following a close contest in 2023, where he was pipped to the title by Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.

Despite fierce competition, Hakimi remains optimistic about his chances, especially as the award will be held on home soil in Morocco.

Hakimi faces strong competition from several notable players, including Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, who has been in exceptional form for both club and country.

Lookman’s standout achievements this year include helping Atalanta secure their first-ever European title, making history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

While Lookman is currently seen as the frontrunner for the award, Hakimi is determined to make his mark. Speaking to Brut, Hakimi expressed his pride at being nominated, emphasizing the personal significance of the recognition.

“It’s a source of pride and satisfaction, especially knowing that the work I’ve put in over the years is being recognized,” Hakimi said.

“This is an important individual award, but I’m just happy to be here. Of course, I hope to win it, but if not, being nominated motivates me to keep working hard.”

The 2024 CAF Player of the Year award will see Hakimi vie for the top honor against a competitive field, which includes Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Nigeria’s Lookman.

Hakimi’s nomination is a testament to his consistent performances and his significant impact at both the club and international levels. With the award ceremony taking place in Morocco, Hakimi will be aiming to cap off a remarkable year with a historic win on home turf.