2024-11-18 21:12:00
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced this Monday, November 18, the list of finalists for the prestigious African Ballon d’Or 2024.
This year, the fight for the prestigious trophy will be particularly hotly contested between Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa).
→ ALSO READ: Ballon d’Or 2024: 12 days later, the vote of the representative of Senegal revealed (photo)
The big winner will be crowned during the ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco. A notable absence this year: no Senegalese player is among the contenders, a surprising fact given the exceptional form of certain Senegalese players on the international scene.
As a reminder, in 2023, the Nigerian Victor Osimhen won this distinction after making history with an extraordinary season with Naples in Serie A. The competition therefore promises to be fierce this year, with candidates from several European championships and ‘Africa.
→ ALSO READ: Ballon d’Or: It doesn’t stop, Barça supporters are still attacking Vinicius Jr
→ ALSO READ: Habib Beye’s anger over the Ballon d’Or: “Let’s stop this hypocrisy of saying…”
1731964703
#African #Ballon #dOr #finalists #revealed #CAF
How do you believe the inclusion of players from various leagues influences the competition for the African Ballon d’Or?
**Interview with CAF Representative on the 2024 African Ballon d’Or Finalists**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. The Confederation of African Football has just announced the finalists for the 2024 African Ballon d’Or. What factors do you think led to the selection of this year’s nominees?
**CAF Representative:** Thank you for having me. The selection of nominees is based on the players’ performances over the past year, including their contributions to their club successes and international achievements. This year’s finalists—Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Ademola Lookman, and Ronwen Williams—have all shown exceptional talent and consistency.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting to see no Senegalese players among the finalists, especially considering the significant impact players like Sadio Mané and others have had. How do you respond to fans who feel this is an oversight given Senegal’s strong international presence?
**CAF Representative:** That’s a valid point and has sparked a lot of conversation. The absence of Senegalese players does raise eyebrows, but selection can sometimes depend on specific criteria such as form during the voting period and individual accolades. We encourage fans to discuss and debate the merits of all the candidates.
**Interviewer:** As we look ahead to the ceremony on December 16 in Marrakech, what should fans expect from this year’s event, particularly with such fierce competition?
**CAF Representative:** The ceremony promises to be a spectacular showcase of African football talent. Fans can expect an engaging evening featuring not just the awards but also performances celebrating African culture. With such close competition this year, it’s sure to ignite passionate discussions about who deserves the title.
**Interviewer:** Following the previous year’s winner, Victor Osimhen, do you think the prestige of the African Ballon d’Or is evolving, especially with more players making their mark in European leagues?
**CAF Representative:** Absolutely. The recognition of African talent in major leagues across Europe is growing, and this award highlights that. It encourages young African players to aspire to reach the highest levels, making the competition for the African Ballon d’Or increasingly significant.
**Interviewer:** Without revealing any insider knowledge, who do you think is the fan favorite this year among the finalists?
**CAF Representative:** It’s hard to say since fan preferences can vary widely depending on regional loyalties. Each finalist has a strong fan base, so I think we will see a vibrant debate leading up to the ceremony. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of all the talents represented.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights. For our readers, what do you think about the finalists? Do you believe the absence of Senegalese players affects the prestige of the award? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.