- The three are seen as tomorrow’s future stars
- Morocco’s Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Senegal’s duo of Lamine Camara and Amara Diouf have been nominated
- There are also three nominated for the interclub player of the year award
Three youngsters, Morocco’s Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Senegal’s duo of Lamine Camara and Amara Diouf have been shortlisted for the young player of the year at this year’s CAF Awards.
Ezzalzouli is one of Morocco’s rising football stars, and he showed his mettle at the 2023 Under-23 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations where he starred as the young Atlas Lions clinched their first ever title and also qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
The 21-year old not only skippered Morocco to the title, but had seven direct goal contributions with three goals and four assists, and his performance also earned him the golden boot and Most Valuable Player award.
He was also part of the Moroccan squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
For his club, the winger was part of the Osasuna squad that reached the Copa Del Rey final, and has continued with his imperious play since moving to Real Betis at the start of this season.
Product of Generation Foot academy
The 19-year old product of the famed Generation Foot Academy in Senegal has had a brilliant year for both club and country. The attacking midfielder played a crucial role as Senegal clinched the U20 TotalEnergiues Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt, where he was also named the tournament’s Most valuable Player.
This performance in Egypt followed up another stellar run in national team colors, where he was also a starring member of the Senegalese team that clinched the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) title in Algeria early in the year. He was named in the team of the tournament.
He moved from Generation Foot to FC Metz early this year, and made his debut in April.
Amara is another golden star of the new Senegalese generation, having starred for the young Teranga Lions as they clinched the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations title for the first time ever in Algeria.
The 15-year old Diouf, who skippered the team, was the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, the highest ever count in the tournament, beating the previous record of four set by Victor Osimhen in 2015. He was named the tournament’s Most valuable Player.
Diouf became Senegal’s youngest ever senior national team debutant when he played in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda on September 9, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
CAF Interclubs award
Meanwhile, three players will also line up in another mega award, the CAF Interclub player of the year crown. DR Congo’s and Pyramids forward Fiston Mayele, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile and Al Ahly’s Percy Tau will battle for the award.
Mayele enjoyed an exceptional season with his former Tanzanian club, Young Africans during the 2022-2023 season. The striker, who is now on the books of Egyptian side, Pyramids led his former club, Yanga to their first-ever continental final in the CAF Confederation Cup where they narrowly lost in the final against USM Alger.
Mayele finished as the top goalscorer of the tournament which raised his profile as one of the most sought-after strikers on the continent.
Namibian sensation, Shalulile was one of the most important players for Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
The Sundowns target man scored 6 goals in the competition and was instrumental in Sundowns’ run in the competition that dramatically ended in the semi-finals against Wydad AC.
Besides his goalscoring prowess, Shalulile possesses an incredible ability of playing from deep and connecting with his midfielders to give his teammates increased chances of scoring. His exceptional form certainly earns him a place amongst the top three players on the continent.
Al Ahly star, Tau has grown immensely in his role at Al Ahly and has become one of the club’s key players since settling in.
After playing as a target man, the skilful forward was moved to the wing and has since been immense for the African champions this past season.
Tau found the back of the net 5 times in his contribution to Ahly’s record 11th CAF Champions League title.
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