After the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released its list of nominations for the 2024 edition of the CAF awards gala, slated for December 16, 2024, all eyes were centred on the Player of the Year category.Despite the various awards holding equal significance, the Player of the Year accolade is coveted, with numerous players longing to achieve the distinctive mark of winning it at the start of their careers.The nominees for this year's awards include South Africa's Ronwen Williams, Nigeria's William Troost Ekong, Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba, Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra, Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba, and Algeria's Admine Gouiri.Nigeria's Victor Osimhen walked home with the award in the last edition but failed to make the shortlist this time.However, Osimhen was not the only casualty as 3Sports takes a look at five big names who missed out on the top award.Victor OsimhenOsimhen clinched the 2023 CAF Player of the Year gong after steering Napoli to a first-ever Serie A title in 33 years.
However, Osimhen looked off the pace in the season under review (2023/24) as his club struggled in the league.Despite contributing to an astonishing 17 goals and four assists in all competitions for his club, the forward failed to stake a claim with his club performances as he was left out.Not even his runners-up finish with Nigeria at the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) could put Osimhen in the top 10.Mohamed SalahUndoubtedly, the 32-year-old has been one of the most consistent players in Europe.
Salah's 2023 AFCON ended after he picked up a hamstring injury against Ghana in Egypt's second group game.The winger bagged a goal at the AFCON but failed to assert his imperious goal-scoring ability at the continent's biggest showpiece.His impressive 25 goals and 14 assists tally for Liverpool in all competitions was backed up by a Carabao Cup crown after the Reds beat Chelsea 1-o in the final.LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 1: Victor Boniface of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates after scoring a goal which is later disallowed during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AC Milan at BayArena on October 1, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)Victor BonifaceBayer Leverkusen became the first side in the history of the Bundesliga to complete an entire season without defeat when they clinched the 2023-24 title, which ended a 120-year wait.One man who was integral for the team was Nigeria forward Victor Boniface, who endeared himself to Leverkusen fans with 21 goals and 9 assists all season.Leverkusen's unbeaten run was curtailed in the final of the 2023-24 Europa League final, leaving Boniface and his team with a European runners-up medal, a DFB-Pokal Cup medal (after beating Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the final), and a Bundesliga trophy.Unfortunately for Boniface, he got injured in a pre-AFCON warm-up game, preventing him from partaking in the tournament.Mohammed KudusFew players adapt quickly to a new environment as Mohammed Kudus did in his first season in England.
After completing his switch from Ajax to London, Kudus amassed 17 goals and six assists in all competitions for West Ham in his debut season.His eye for goal has been an undeniable part of his game as the 24-year-old was duly awarded the Hammers' Goal of the 2023-24 Season after picking up the ball from his half and running the entire length of the pitch before firing home against Freiburg in a Europa League tie.Irrespective of his heroics at his club side, Kudus could do little to overturn a cruel group stage exit for his country Ghana, although he bagged a brace on his AFCON debut against Egypt in January.Brahim DiazBrahim Diaz"A Por La 15", Real Madrid fans echoed in excitement after clinching their 15th Uefa Champions League crown.One man who was a part of the record-extending feat was Morocco's Brahim Diaz.