Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has revealed that he is hoping to win the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award ahead of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, Afrosport reports.
Hakimi, who made the final five-man shortlist released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) earlier this month, is looking to get his hands on the coveted trophy after missing out on last year’s edition to Lookman’s countryman, Victor Osimhen.
Nigerian forward Lookman is the frontrunner for the 2024 edition of the award following a productive season with Italian club Atalanta, who he led to UEFA Europa League glory with an unprecedented hat-trick in the final, as well as starring at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Super Eagles.
Hakimi, however, won two titles with Paris Saint-Germain last season, and was an integral part of the Moroccan team that won a bronze medal in the football event at the Paris Olympics.
Although the full back has his eyes set on clinching the individual award, he added that he is “happy” to be named amongst the best players in the continent.
“It’s a source of pride and satisfaction, especially knowing that the work I’ve been doing for a long time will be rewarded with this nomination,” Hakimi told Brut via maliactu.net.
“It’s true that it’s an important trophy on an individual level, but I’m happy to be here.
“I hope I can win it, but if not, I’m happy to be here, and it makes me want to keep working.”
Hakimi will contend with a quartet of African stars, including Lookman, Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa), if he is to win the accolade.
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁#CAFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/0MGgFEJ3d8
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 18, 2024
The 2024 CAF Awards, which will be held in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16, will crown the best performers across different categories in both the men’s and women’s events, with consideration for performances from the period within January 2024 and October 2024.
