The CAF Player of the Year award is the most coveted individual accolade in African football. It recognizes the finest talents on the continent, but it has also been a breeding ground for controversy over the years.
From shocking omissions to eyebrow-raising victories, the award has been mired in contentious moments that have sparked debates among fans and pundits alike.
With rumors swirling about Achraf Hakimi potentially being crowned the 2024 winner ahead of Ademola Lookman, echoes of past injustices are being revived.
Here, we take a closer look at three of the biggest perceived iinjustices in CAF Player of the Year history.
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha – 1998
Few players in African football history possessed the skill and flair of Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. Known for his dazzling dribbles, audacious tricks, and set-piece brilliance, Okocha is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest footballers.
Yet, despite his immense talent, individual accolades often eluded him. The 1998 CAF Player of the Year award remains one of the most controversial examples.
The award, given to Morocco’s Mustapha Hadji, raised eyebrows, particularly when comparing both players' performances in 1998.
During the 1997/1998 season, Okocha was in sensational form for Fenerbahce, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 29 league matches. Six of those goals came in the latter half of the season. His exploits earned him a then-African record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 1998.
At PSG, Okocha seamlessly adapted to life in Ligue 1, scoring four goals in the first half of the 1998/1999 season, including a stunning debut strike. In total, he recorded ten league goals and two assists in 1998.
In stark contrast, Hadji endured a forgettable year. The Moroccan started the 1997/1998 campaign at Sporting Lisbon but managed just one league appearance before moving to Deportivo La Coruña.
His stint in Spain wasn’t much better; he failed to score in ten league matches and managed just one goal in the first half of the 1998/1999 season.
On the international stage, both players featured at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. While Hadji scored a goal and made an assist in Morocco’s group-stage exit, Okocha played a crucial role as Nigeria reached the round of 16.
Although Hadji’s World Cup exploits may have slightly edged Okocha’s, the Nigerian’s overall body of work across the year made a compelling case for him to win the award. Yet, the decision went in favor of Hadji, leaving many to question CAF’s judgment.
Sammy Kuffour – 1999
Another controversial decision came in 1999 when Ghanaian defender Sammy Kuffour missed out on the CAF Player of the Year award despite a stellar season with Bayern Munich.
Kuffour was instrumental in Bayern’s Bundesliga triumph and played a key role in their run to the UEFA Champions League final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester United.
Despite his defensive brilliance and leadership, the award went to Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu.
While the former Inter Milan man’s contributions for Arsenal were noteworthy, he scored 17 goals during the 1999/2000 season, including a famous hat-trick against Chelsea many felt Kuffour’s achievements on the European stage deserved greater recognition.
Kuffour’s omission highlighted a recurring trend in CAF’s voting process, where attacking players often received preference over defenders, regardless of their impact.
Mohamed Aboutrika – 2008
Egyptian legend Mohamed Aboutrika remains one of Africa’s most decorated and beloved players. However, the CAF Player of the Year award consistently eluded him, with the 2008 edition standing out as the most contentious.
Aboutrika enjoyed a phenomenal year in 2008, leading Al Ahly to the CAF Champions League title and inspiring Egypt to Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) glory. His performances were marked by crucial goals and exceptional leadership.
Despite his achievements, the award went to Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored 24 goals in the English Premier League that year.
While Adebayor’s individual brilliance in England was undeniable, Aboutrika’s contributions to Egyptian and African football were more deserving of recognition.
The decision sparked outrage among fans, with accusations that CAF undervalued players competing domestically in Africa compared to those in Europe.
Aboutrika’s snub remains a sore point in African football history, symbolizing the bias that has often marred the award.
