Another disappointment for an entire country, an entire people! The CAF Awards 2024 ceremony, held this Monday in Marrakech, and supposed to celebrate the best talents in African football, has once again sparked indignation.
The awarding of the African Ballon d’Or to the Nigerian, Ademola Lookman, to the detriment of the indisputable Achraf Hakimi, is, to say the least, shocking, but above all revealing.
It is at this stage legitimate to wonder if Morocco’s part in the CAF Awards is only to organize them? To us the fine speeches and to others the prizes?
The non-designation of Achraf Hakimi, whose talent and performances are recognized internationally (except in Africa apparently), refers to another disappointment, another holdup which occurred last year on the same stage and with the same actors: CAF and its commissions, which went so far as to invent a prize, that of the best goalkeeper, so as not to award the Ballon d’Or to a certain Yassine Bono, who no longer needs to be presented. This gesture raised questions: why invent a trophy instead of simply recognizing its merit?
Already nominated in 2023, Hakimi did not come to the ceremony, and we all said that he KNEW he was not going to be nominated. But this year he was there, he made the trip with his family and was even accompanied by his president at PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. We saw it as a good sign, we said to ourselves that this time might be the right one. Nay!
We wonder which selection criteria the Moroccan international did not meet?
A world-class defender, he had a simply exceptional year in 2024. With Paris Saint-Germain, he was one of the main driving forces of the team, offering brilliant performances in the Champions League and in the championship. His role was not limited to defending: his sharp attacks, his decisive goals, and his ability to influence the game made him a complete and essential player.
In selection, Hakimi continues to dazzle. If we were to only talk about his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he was masterful, leading a young and attractive team through their play to the bronze medal, very few players could boast of such achievements in a single year.
Ademola Lookman, for his part, had a good season with Atalanta Bergamo, scoring important goals in Serie A. But his performances remain far from matching those of Hakimi. Neither his impact on the game nor his contribution justifies this award.
Even the public present in the ceremony hall expressed their indignation by chanting ‘Hakimi. Hakimi’, at the time of the trophy presentation. But alas, history does not remember this!
The frustration is great, the disappointment too, but the question remains: What are the voting criteria?
The record of the African Ballon d’Or, and before it that which was awarded by France football until 1994, is very eloquent: In 56 editions (if we exclude those of 2020 and 2021 not organized due to Covid), only 10 players North Africans won the trophy.
We will not (or almost) talk about discrimination, but it is time to review the way of voting, and to see who will vote, and on what basis to vote…, because it is clear that extra-sporting is very present.
These repeated injustices really give the impression that CAF is exploiting a country which has invested massively in its infrastructure, hosting major events, and saving the African Confederation from many embarrassing situations, and yet, the honors seem systematically reserved for others. If CAF continues to ignore Moroccan excellence, it risks losing credibility and legitimacy, if it has not already done so!
Achraf Hakimi, like Yassine Bono before him, deserved this African Ballon d’Or. By denying him this, CAF not only shortchanged a player, but also missed an opportunity to truly celebrate African excellence.
