The race for the CAF African Player of the Year 2024 is getting hotter, and this shortlist did not fail expectations. Headlining the shortlist are Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy and Bayer Leverkusen center-back Edmond Tapsoba, who, after brilliant seasons, find themselves among the top 10 candidates for the title. It is scheduled to happen this December in Morocco, promising to crown the player who made the greatest impact on African and world soccer in 2024.
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Serhou Guirassy: Guinea's Goal Machine with His Eyes on the Prize
If one name has sent ripples across German and international soccer, it is Serhou Guirassy. The 28-year-old forward shone at VfB Stuttgart before his move to Borussia Dortmund, and with such impressive stats, he's positioned as one of the favorites of the award. In 2024, Guirassy scored 12 goals in just 15 games early in the year before wrapping up the 2023/24 Bundesliga season with 28 goals in 34 matches. This performance kept him second in the scoring charts, only behind Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, and earned him recognition in international competitions.
But the reason why Guirassy has become such a strong contender is because of his consistency. Known for his ability to read plays, his deadly precision kept him churning out the pace upon joining Dortmund as the forward scored seven goals in his first eight club games. He was brilliant in the African Cup of Nations, where Guinea reached the quarterfinals, and he showed his knack to blossom on the high-intensity stages. Definitely, Guirassy's dependability and precision make him one of the title frontrunners for African Player of the Year.
Edmond Tapsoba: Bayer Leverkusen's Unbeaten Guardian
On the opposite side, Edmond Tapsoba is a true embodiment of resilience and defensive leadership, being the center-back for Burkina Faso. At 25, Tapsoba helped Bayer Leverkusen create history by winning the Bundesliga as "Invincibles"-going the whole season unbeaten. Tapsoba's consistency, coupled with his performance in the DFB Cup, made him an asset to the important success of the German team that also claimed the DFB Cup title.
Having played 36 matches in 2024 with only two defeats, Tapsoba showed the world that solidity in the rear is as important as the attack. However, his skills exceed club play because, representing Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations, he played every minute up to the Round of 16, showing commitment and stamina. It is this blend of technique, nous, and defensive presence that has made Tapsoba stand out on the top player list of the African continent.
Strong Competition: The Other Stars in the Running
Apart from Guirassy and Tapsoba, this shortlist includes powerhouse players such as Achraf Hakimi of PSG and Brighton's Simon Adingra, both of whom are no slouches for the trophy. Hakimi is a Moroccan representative who had a full season in which he did well, even though his name features among the most respected on the list, while on his part, Adingra represents Côte d'Ivoire and is a surprise package in the Premier League.
It is important to underline that the prize-which, in the past, other legends such as Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba won-is one of the most prestigious on the African Continent. In this 2024 edition, the 10 finalists will challenge for the succession of Nigerian Victor Osimhen, winner in 2023. The final choice is always surrounded by thrill, but each nominee no matter if he will win the prize, represents an important chapter of African and world soccer.