It is now official. The prestigious CAF Awards will return on December 11, 2023 in Morocco to celebrate the stars of African football, announces the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In a statement released on Tuesday July 25, CAF announced that the CAF Awards ceremony will be held again this year in Morocco on December 11. The time and the host city will soon be communicated, says the authority.
” Following last year’s successful event held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, which saw brilliant Senegalese striker Sadio Mané and Nigerian and FC Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala crowned, the CAF Awards will showcase some of Africa’s top stars“, indicates the same source.
These awards will recognize outstanding club and national team performances over the past year, including the designation of African Player of the Year in the male and female categories.
Mané and Oshoala will have stiff competition against some of the brightest stars on the continent who have shone in the past 12 months.
Former winners in the men’s category include the Ivorian Yaya Touré (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), Samuel Eto’o (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010), Didier Drogba (2006 and 2009), Mohammed Salah (2017, 2018), Riyad Mahrez (2016), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Abedi Pelé (1992) and the great George Weah (1995).
In the women’s category, although Oshoala has dominated in recent years winning trophies in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022, she will always have competition from previous winners such as Thembi Kgatlana (2018) who are still active. Past winners also include former Super Eagle Perpetua Nkwocha (2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011).
Other honors will also be at stake, including Interclubs Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year and Goal of the Year, CAF says.
According to the same source, the Interclubs Player of the Year award, introduced last year after the successful launch of the CAF Women’s Champions League, will be awarded again this year.
It should be noted that the period covered by the CAF Awards 2023 extends from September 2022 to June 2023, thus encompassing an extraordinary chapter in the history of African football.