CAF Awards: Young Player of the Year | Focus on the finalists
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The CAF Awards officially take place on Monday, 11 December in Marrakech, Morocco where Africa’s top performing footballers will be recognized for their excellence.
CAFOnline takes a look at the Young Player of the Year category nominees.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco, Real Betis)
At the tender age of 21, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is already tipped as the next big sensation in Moroccan football. He was instrumental in his nation’s TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations triumph where he orchestrated three beautiful goals.
The skillful winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain has competed in the Europa League and his wonder strike scored against Aris Limassol has still got the football world in awe.
Lamine Camara (Senegal, FC Metz)
There will undoubtedly be a before and after 2023 for Lamine Camara. Winner of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship with Senegal last January. Named “Man of the Match” three times during that tournament, the Diouloulou native certainly left a mark at this competition.
He then continued with his great form in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations where he was voted best player of the competition.
In the process, the Senegalese left the Génération Foot club and signed for FC Metz in France where he continues to outclass his peers from across the world which has also earned him a call up at the senior Senegalese national team.
Amara Diouf (Senegal, Generation Football)
Undoubtedly one of the shining stars of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Amara Diouf was a key figure in Senegal’s first-ever TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON title where he won the top goalscorer award for his 5 goals.
On 09 September, the youngster made history by becoming the youngest Senegalese international to play in an official TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifier when the African champions played Rwanda.
