Bundesliga breakout star Serhou Guirassy has been backed by former Togo international and self-confessed Victor Osimhen fan, Emmanuel Adebayor for the CAF Player of the Year gong.
Following a phenomenal season with VfB Stuttgart, Guirassy has firmly established himself as one of the top contenders for the award. The Guinean striker finished a remarkable second in the Bundesliga Golden Boot race, only trailing the prolific Harry Kane.
His 28 goals in as many league matches were instrumental in propelling Stuttgart to a surprising second-place finish, even leaping over the mighty Bayern Munich on the final day.
Adebayor, himself a former CAF Player of the Year awardee, believes Guirassy deserves recognition for his achievements.
“Of course [he deserves to win],” Adebayor told Afrik-Foot. “He had an extraordinary season with Stuttgart, he is a striker who scored a lot.
“He will be one of the contenders, that's for sure, especially since Salah has not scored as much, Victor Osimhen did not have the same season as the year of the title. It's open this year. If it's Guirassy, it will be deserved.”
CAF Player of the Year: Adebayor's Victor Osimhen snub betrays tight race
While Guirassy impressed in Germany, Ademola Lookman emerged as a top contender for the CAF Player of the Year award.
Lookman's stellar performances, particularly his sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final, have thrust him into the spotlight. The award typically recognizes players who have a significant impact throughout the calendar year, and Lookman's early surge positions him well in the race.
Victor Boniface, despite narrowly missing out on Europa League glory with Bayer Leverkusen, is also a strong contender for the award. Although his failure to win the Europa League could be a setback, he is still highly likely to receive a nomination, having been an important part of Leverkusen's historic league and cup double.
Despite Osimhen's struggles with Napoli, his goalscoring record remains impressive. With 17 goals in all competitions, he continues to be a force to be reckoned with. Similarly, Mohamed Salah, despite a quiet season for Liverpool, maintains a respectable tally of 18 Premier League goals and 25 goals in all competitions, along with 14 assists.
Achraf Hakimi's phenomenal season with Paris Saint-Germain further intensifies the competition for the Player of the Year award. As a key member of the Ligue 1 champions and a semi-finalist in the Champions League, Hakimi's contributions cannot be overlooked.
