'Missed a crucial penalty' - African football expert reveals why HakIimi lost out to Lookman for African POTY

African football expert Hervé Penot, a French journalist from the newspaper L'Équipe, has explained why Paris Saint-Germain's Morocco fullback Achraf Hakimi missed out on the African Footballer of the Year.

The CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech on Monday evening went smoothly but the result for Player of the Year continues to generate debate.

Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year, a decision many deemed logical due to his outstanding season for club and country, but it has sparked outrage in Morocco, where many believe Achraf Hakimi was more deserving of the award.

Hakimi has also been expectational for club and country, captaining Morocco to a bronze medal finish at the 2024 Olympic Games and winning the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France with PSG.

Penot commended Hakimi for his strong individual performance but remarked that the defender did not enjoy team success with Morocco in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting his key penalty miss in the round of 16.

"Hakimi had a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain, but I think the AFCON was not kind to him and did not weigh in his favor in the race for the Player of the Year award, especially after Morocco's early elimination from the competition," Penot told Le Site Info.

"In addition, Hakimi missed a crucial penalty against South Africa, a moment that could have changed the course of the match, allowing Morocco to qualify and perhaps win the title.

"The award only rewards the performances of players in the year 2024, a year in which Lookman has enjoyed resounding success with both his club and his national team."

Penot admitted that missing penalties is part of every great player's career, but pointed out that these moments play a significant role in determining the best player, especially when they occur in a decisive game that resulted in the Atlas Lions' elimination.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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