In a surprising turn of events, Ghanaian football star Mohammed Kudus has not been included in the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award nominee list announced on Thursday.

Despite an outstanding season, both for his club West Ham and the national team, many expected Kudus to be a strong contender for the award, potentially securing a podium finish.

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Kudus had an excellent showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two crucial goals against Egypt and earning the Man of the Match award twice.

His debut season at West Ham saw him netting eight goals in the Premier League and five in the Europa League, showcasing his talent and making significant contributions to his team’s success.

Despite these commendable achievements, Kudus was notably absent from the list of 10 nominees released by CAF, leaving fans and football pundits alike in shock. The list also excluded some other big names, including the reigning champion Victor Osimhen and his fellow Nigerian, Victor Boniface, who had an impressive season with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga title.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was another surprising omission. Among the nominees for this year’s award are Edmond Tapsoba, Amine Gouiri, Chancel Mbemba, Simon Adingra, and Achraf Hakimi. Soufiane Rahimi, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Ronwen Williams also made the cut.

Lookman, in particular, is seen as a strong contender after his hat-trick in the Europa League final led Atalanta to victory.

The 2024 CAF Awards will be held in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16. This will be the third consecutive year that Morocco hosts this prestigious event, which continues to celebrate and honor the best talents in African football.

The exclusion of players like Kudus and Osimhen has sparked discussions about the criteria and selection process for the awards, highlighting the competitive nature and high standards of African football.

READ ALSO: Kudus’ Time Will Come, But Jordan Deserves the Captaincy Now – Prince Tagoe

As the football world eagerly awaits the awards ceremony, the spotlight remains on the nominees and the exceptional performances that have earned them a place on this coveted list.

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