CAF Awards 2023 Scandal: Hafid Derradji Slams African Football Confederation, Hails Riyad Mahrez as a “Prize in Himself”
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Hafid Derradji expressed strong disapproval for the exclusion of Riyad Mahrez from the finalists for the African Ballon d’Or. The celebrated Algerian sports commentator for beIN Sports vehemently criticized the African Football Confederation (CAF).
In a widely shared sentiment, the African Football Confederation unjustly removed Riyad Mahrez from the final list of nominees for the African Ballon d’Or, along with USMA and Zinedine Belaid for the awards of best African club and best interclub player of the year. In line with the sentiments of many Algerians, Hafid Derradji called into question the credibility of CAF. In a recent social media post, he castigated the primary governing body of African football.
“Tonight, football enthusiasts will announce the consecration of Riyad Mahrez as the best African player of the year 2023. Mahrez is, in himself, a prize. He absolutely does not deserve a manipulated personal distinction that lacks any credibility from the African governing body,” he wrote.
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“As for the one who will announce his victory tonight, he will be haunted by the curse of a talented player who fell victim to the theft of the century. The same goes for USM Alger, which was snubbed despite its African double. Simply because it is an Algerian club,” he added. In the post, the Algerian sports commentator shared impressive statistics of the national team captain’s performance with Manchester City during the past season, where he achieved a historic treble.
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Despite being confident of winning the 2023 African Ballon d’Or, as he mentioned in an interview with “L’Équipe,” Riyad Mahrez was shocked not to find his name among the final three nominees for the individual award. The exclusion remained a sore point for the Algerian international.
In response, Mahrez took to Instagram, posting a collage of photos showcasing his various personal and collective titles throughout his career. It appears that the current Al-Ahli Saudi forward wanted to convey to CAF that he has virtually won everything in his career and does not need the 2023 Ballon d’Or to complete his already illustrious trophy cabinet.
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