Sundowns’ Williams among finalists: CAF explains expanded POTY list
CAF have explained the rationale behind expanding the nominee list for the Player of the Year award. This decision sees Mamelodi Sundowns captain and renowned goalkeeper Ronwen Williams among the finalists.
Williams will battle it out for the CAF Player of the Year award against a formidable line-up: Ivorian sensation Simon Adingra, Guinean goal-scoring machine Serhou Guirassy, Moroccan dynamo Achraf Hakimi, and Nigerian speedster Ademola Lookman.
The governing body for African football – CAF had intended to announce a shortlist of three nominees for Player of the Year on Thursday.
However, after careful consideration, they determined it was necessary to retain all five players. The final five nominees will be presented at the awards ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, December 16th.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE LIST EXPANDED: CAF PROVIDES RATIONALE
“With so little to choose in the voting between the remaining nominees in the race for the coveted Men’s Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards, organisers have kept intact the full list of five names ahead of the ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday,” said CAF in a statement.
“It adds to the suspense on the evening in what has been one of the most closely fought contests in the history of the Award, with five outstanding candidates hoping to write their names into the rich history of football on the continent.”
South Africa has yet to produce a CAF Player of the Year, but Ronwen Williams makes a strong case for consideration.
The 32-year-old played a crucial role in Bafana Bafana’s third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast. Notably, he saved four penalties against Cape Verde in the quarter-finals and kept five clean sheets throughout the tournament, earning him the Golden Glove award.
In addition, the Bafana captain was nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy this year, making him the first South African player to be considered for the Ballon d’Or award.
At club level, Williams also produced an exceptional performance with Sundowns, where he guided them to their seventh consecutive Betway Premiership title last season, conceding a record-low 11 goals in 30 matches.
Meanwhile, CAF revealed the final three nominees for Women’s Player of the Year. Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie will now vie for the prestigious award.
CAF AWARDS 2024: SOUTH AFRICA WELL-REPRESENTED AMONG FINALISTS
South Africa boasts a strong presence in the final nominee lists for the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards.
Hugo Broos, the mastermind behind Bafana Bafana’s recent successes, is a finalist for CAF Coach of the Year.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Ronwen Williams is a finalist for the award. Furthermore, Williams is also a finalist for the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year (Men), recognising his exceptional performances at Sundowns.
Mamelodi Sundowns, the dominant force in SA football, is among the CAF Club of the Year finalists, further solidifying the nation’s presence on the continental stage.
Andile Dlamini, the talented goalkeeper for Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, is a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year in the women’s category.
On the other hand, Thinasonke Mbuli is among the finalists for the CAF Coach of the Year [Women] award, a testament to his impressive achievements with the University of Western Cape [UWC] side. She guided UWC Ladies to the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time.
Furthermore, SA is a finalist for both Men’s National Team of the Year and Women’s National Team of the Year, highlighting Bafana and Banyana Banyana’s progress.
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