'I hope there will be no surprises' - Ex-Morocco striker picks between Hakimi and Lookman for African POTY

Former Morocco international striker Salaheddine Bassir has shared his thoughts on Achraf Hakimi's chances of winning the 2024 Africa Footballer of the Year.

According to viral reports in the French, Moroccan and Egyptian press, it is being speculated that the Real Madrid academy graduate is in pole position to win the African Player of the Year, which will be presented in his country this evening.

The four other contenders for the prestigious accolade include Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).

Moroccan Footballer of the Year for 1997, Salaheddine Bassir claims Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi is the closest to winning the African Player of the Year prize.

Ademola Lookman had a fantastic season, highlighted by the hat-trick he scored, which inspired Atalanta to win the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

On the international stage, Lookman was a key member of the Nigeria squad that reached the Africa Cup of Nations final, registering three goals and an assist, and he was named in the official Team of the Tournament.

Salaheddine Bassir argues that Morocco was unfairly denied the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023, even though Victor Osimhen had a remarkable season with Napoli. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Salaheddine Bassir stated: "I am optimistic about choosing Achraf Hakimi as the best African player for the year 2024, and I hope that there will be no surprises like last year, although the Nigerian player (Victor Osimhen) was the top scorer and won the league, but Hakimi and Bono were the closest to putting us in it and we do not want to be a victim in the 2024 version."

Lookman is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Victor Osimhen, all of whom have been crowned Africa's best player in the past.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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