Africa-Press – Mozambique. Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey are among the 30 players shortlisted for the Caf 2023 Player of the Year awards set for December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Red-hot Liverpool superstar Salah whose scoring streak has been remarkable since moving to Anfield, is among the favourites to bag the accolade. Al Ahly duo of Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohamed ElShenawy are the other Egyptians shortlisted.
Partey plays for the Ghanaian national team but has missed most of the action this season for the Gunners because of a nagging knee injury. He was instrumental last season as Mikel Arteta-coached Arsenal side finished second in the Premier League.
Morocco has seven players on the list. They Include Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Azzedine Ounahi (Olympique Marseille), Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad Athletic Club), Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal) and Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla).
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen who led the Italian giants to their first Serie A title in almost 30 years and Riyad Mahrez who won five Premier League titles with Manchester City before his transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli last summer have also made the cut.
A panel of Caf Technical Experts, African Football Legends and selected media representatives from several countries put together the preliminary list for the various categories with the performance of the nominees between November 2022 and September 2023 serving as the period under consideration.
For the first time, Caf has introduced the Caf African Goalkeeper of the Year Category (Men and Women) in the prestigious event that seeks to reward and celebrate exceptional Players, Officials and Administrators during the period under review.
It will be the first time that shot stoppers will be acknowledged for their performances, further expanding the network of winners for the annual event.
The nominees for the Women’s categories will be announced in due course.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane was crowned in 2022 whilst Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won the women’s category in the gala event held in Rabat, Morocco.
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