The CAF Awards, which will be held this Monday evening in Marrakech, attract all eyes to the African Ballon d’Or, but certain players could also experience their fifteen minutes of glory by appearing in the eleven of the year.
The CAF/FIFPro Africa Best XI will reward the best players on the continent for the period from January to October 2024, both at club and national level. This year, with the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the impact of the national team will play a major role.
Unlike the other awards awarded during the CAF Awards ceremonyonly professional African players are called upon to nominate their eleven of the year and differences are therefore possible compared to the other awards, for which CAF experts, journalists and coaches vote.
With a few hours in advance, the editorial staff ofAfrik-Foot met to plan on the expected eleven. Due to the low number of midfielders candidates for a place in this team, it could take a very offensive turn, like a 3-4-3 with very offensive pistons.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Williams was imperial, especially during CAN 2023, where he guided his team to the semi-finals and won the title of best goalkeeper of the tournament. He has 30 clean sheets at club level and was ranked ninth in the Yachine Trophy. Unless André Onana, who managed to redress the situation Manchester United after a complicated beginning, he is preferred by his peers.
Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast, Atalanta Bergamo)
Ivorian defender Odilon Kossounou distinguished himself with Bayer Leverkusen, contributing to a memorable season for his team: almost undefeated (a defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta), crowned Bundesliga and German Cup champions . Winner of the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, Kossounou made his mark last season and now occupies 78th place in the world for the best players of the season according to the latest Marca ranking.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso, Bayer Leverkusen)
Accompanied by Odilon Kossounou in the central hinge in Leverkusen, the Burkinabé also reached the final of the Europa League. He allowed Xabi Alonso to become German champion by having the best defense in the Bundesliga, conceding only 24 goals.
William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria, PAOK)
Troost-Ekong was a key piece for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. As a leader, he guided the Super Eagles to the final. Thanks to him, his selection only conceded four goals in seven matches, including two in the final against Ivory Coast. He was named best player of the tournament.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG)
At club level, the defender won the French championship title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. As part of the national team, he won the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scoring a goal in the crushing victory against Egypt (6-0) in the third place match. On the other hand, he was eliminated in the round of 16 of the CAN.
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo, Olympique de Marseille)
A warrior. Last season, the one who is currently in the closet at OM made the Marseille club shine. In the Europa League, the Congolese’s performances took Marseille to the semi-final. The defender also shone for the DRC, reaching the semi-finals and finishing third in the African Cup of Nations. We use him in this eleven as a defensive midfielder, a position he has sometimes occupied in the selection.
Brahim Diaz (Morocco, Real Madrid)
Things are all new to him. Brahim Diaz, neo-lion of the Atlas, had a great season with the Merengues. Winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid, he scored twelve goals and provided twelve assists last season. He also won La Liga and the UEFA Super Cup, against a certain Nigerian’s Atalanta. Top scorer in CAN 2025 qualifiershe also got off to a good start with Morocco and can therefore aim for a place in this eleven.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman, author of a hat-trick in the Europa League final, allowed Atalanta to win their very first European trophy. It owes its status to favorite for the African Ballon d’Or to his remarkable performances throughout last season, with a total of 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 matches. He finished runner-up at the last African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
The Egyptian delivered a 2023-2024 financial year worthy of its standards. The player of Liverpool scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists with his club before starting the current campaign in style. Among the Reds, the Egyptian won the League Cup. In the selection, an injury disrupted his CAN but his level in recent months may have encouraged the players to vote for him even if CAF had not included him among the ten finalists for the title of African Player of the Year.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Stuttgart/Dortmund)
Serhou Guirassy, author of a remarkable season with Stuttgart, also ranks as the favorite for the coronation. With 30 goals and 3 assists in 30 games, he led a fierce battle against Harry Kane for the Bundesliga top scorer title. Although he did not win the trophy, the Guinean had the best season of his career.
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast, Brighton)
In his first season, Adingra scored six goals with the Seagulls. But it is mainly for its performance with the Ivory Coast that the winger could appear in this eleven. His decisive contribution during the competition saved Ivory Coast, like against Mali, where he scored the goal which allowed the Elephants to go into overtime.
The possible CAF/FIFPro Africa Best XI: Williams – Tapsoba, Troost-Ekong, Kossounou – Hakimi, Mbemba, Brahim Diaz, Lookman – Salah, Guirassy, Adingra
