Marrakech’s Palais des Congrès Set to Host 2024 CAF Awards Ceremony

Marrakech’s Palais des Congrès has been selected as the venue for the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, which will take place on December 16 at 7 p.m. Moroccan time. The ceremony is set to celebrate Africa’s most outstanding football talent, bringing together top athletes, coaches, and football stakeholders from across the continent.

The event promises to be a glittering evening, recognizing the best performances in African football over the past year. With Morocco’s rising reputation as a football hub, the city of Marrakech, with its blend of rich history and modern facilities, offers the perfect backdrop for such a high-profile gathering.

The awards will include several key categories, most notably the “African Player of the Year” awards for both men and women. These prestigious accolades will honor the players who have excelled in the past season, making significant contributions to their clubs and national teams.

Among the men’s nominees is Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, who has earned recognition for his outstanding performances with Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team, the Atlas Lions. He will face stiff competition from Côte d'Ivoire’s Simon Adingra and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, both of whom have also delivered exceptional displays in their respective leagues and international competitions.

In the women’s category, Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy is a nominee, alongside Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga. These players have played crucial roles in elevating the profile of women’s football in Africa, contributing to the growing recognition of the women’s game on the continent.

The event will also celebrate other achievements, such as the Best Coach, Best Goalkeeper, and Best National Team categories. However, the omission of Morocco’s Atlas Lions from the final shortlist for the 2024 National Team of the Year has sparked controversy. Despite Morocco's historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its continued success on both continental and global stages, the exclusion of the Atlas Lions has been met with widespread debate.

While some have questioned the selection criteria, the 2024 CAF Awards are expected to shine a spotlight on the breadth of talent and dedication that define African football. This year’s event will undoubtedly attract considerable attention, as it recognizes the players, teams, and coaches who have left their mark on the sport across the continent.

The awards ceremony in Marrakech is poised to be a grand celebration, marking the end of a year full of remarkable achievements in African football. Football enthusiasts, professionals, and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the event, which promises to be one of the highlights of the African football calendar.