BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | December 18th, 2024 — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to court controversy, with its recent end-of-year awards ceremony once again igniting accusations of bias, incompetence, and corruption. This year’s event, intended to celebrate Africa’s footballing excellence, instead exposed glaring inconsistencies and questionable decisions that have left players, fans, and analysts questioning the credibility of the institution.
Algeria, a powerhouse in African football, was conspicuously sidelined. Despite stellar performances throughout 2024, national team stars like Aït Nouri, Houssem Aouar, and Amine Gouiri were glaringly absent from CAF’s “Best XI,” raising serious doubts about the selection criteria. Particularly outrageous was the omission of Houssem Aouar, who had an extraordinary year leading Al-Ittihad to the top of the Saudi Pro League. Instead, CAF opted for players like Sofyan Amrabat, who has struggled for form at Manchester United before moving to the Turkish league—a decision that raises eyebrows about CAF’s supposed merit-based evaluations.
Equally perplexing was CAF’s decision to deny Yassine Benzia the “Goal of the Year” award, despite FIFA itself nominating his stunning strike for the Puskás Award. Instead, the prize was handed to Angola’s Mabululu, whose goal, while impressive, lacked the technical brilliance and impact of Benzia’s effort. This inconsistency has fueled suspicions of favoritism and manipulation within CAF’s ranks.
Adding to the chaos, CAF crowned Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns as the “Best Goalkeeper in Africa,” only to exclude him from its “Best XI” in favor of André Onana. Such contradictions undermine the legitimacy of the awards and suggest that decisions are made not on merit, but on appeasing select factions.
Prominent voices across the continent have not hesitated to call out CAF. Egyptian football legend Ahmed Hossam “Mido” launched a scathing attack on CAF President Patrice Motsepe, accusing the organization of prioritizing FIFA’s political agenda over the development of African football. “These awards are nothing more than a façade for the deep-seated corruption within CAF,” Mido declared, reflecting widespread disillusionment.
The credibility of CAF’s awards has been in freefall for years. Last year, the organization faced backlash for sidelining Riyad Mahrez, Algeria’s captain, and his remarkable achievements. This year, CAF’s decision to expand the shortlist for “Best Player” from three to five players is seen as another ploy to appease powerful stakeholders, such as Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, rather than reflecting genuine sporting achievements.
Furthermore, insider accusations suggest that CAF’s awards have devolved into a tool for political maneuvering rather than an authentic celebration of African football. “The ceremony wasn’t about recognizing excellence—it was about distributing favors,” said one anonymous official.
The scandal surrounding CAF’s 2024 awards has eroded trust and cast a shadow over its legitimacy. Fans and football pundits alike are demanding sweeping reforms to restore credibility. Without immediate and transparent action, CAF risks further alienating the very stakeholders it claims to represent—players, fans, and nations whose passion fuels African football’s growth.
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