Africa’s Best Player award: Super Eagles star misses out as Lookman joins South Africa GK on final shortlist

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final shortlist for the 2024 Africa Player of the Year award, with Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams making the cut, Soccernet.ng reports.

A CAF tweet, posted on Monday, confirmed that Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy are also among the five contenders vying for the prestigious title.

Notably absent from the final shortlist is Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, who had featured in the initial 10-man roster.

Troost-Ekong, named the Most Valuable Player at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year after leading Nigeria to a silver-medal finish, fell short in the final selection.

Despite his national team heroics, the defender's club form over the past season was inconsistent due to injury struggles during his final months in Greece.

Nonetheless, he clinched a league title with PAOK before moving to Saudi Arabian side Al-Kholood in the summer.

Meanwhile, Lookman has emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted prize.

The Atalanta winger was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to second place at AFCON and made history at the club level by scoring a remarkable hat-trick in the Europa League final, securing Atalanta their first-ever European trophy.

South African goalkeeper Williams, whose commanding performances have been pivotal for club and country, has also made a strong case for the award.

The winners across various categories will be announced during a star-studded ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 16. The event promises to celebrate the best in African football, with honours for both men's and women's achievements.