'I did not vote for Hakimi' - Legendary Morocco GK Badou Zaki insists Lookman deserved to win POTY

Legendary Moroccan goalkeeper Badou Zaki has publicly revealed that he did not vote for Achraf Hakimi for the African Player of the Year award, insisting that Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman was the rightful recipient.

Lookman clinched the award during a ceremony held in Marrakesh, Morocco, prompting a wave of debate within the Moroccan sporting community.

Despite the controversy surrounding the decision, he expressed his strong belief that Lookman's impressive performances for both Atalanta and the Nigerian national team warranted the honour.

In an interview with Moroccan Radio Mars, via masrawy, Zaki shared, "I did not succeed in voting for Achraf Hakimi. I wished he would win the Golden Ball. He is a heavyweight star, the best right-back in the world, and he still has something to offer in the future."

Zaki, who himself won the prestigious award in 1986, maintained that Lookman's achievements overshadowed those of Hakimi, who had also enjoyed success with Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite Hakimi winning Ligue 1 with PSG, Lookman has outshone him in terms of both achievement and performance for Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.

Lookman clinched the UEFA Europa League title with the Italian club, where he famously scored a hat-trick in the final.

Additionally, he scored three goals, leading the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 2023 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.

"Compared to the Atalanta striker in terms of collective titles, the numbers betrayed Ashraf, who will be a candidate for the title in the future, God willing," he added.

Additionally, Zaki praised Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Federation, for his integrity in the voting process, stating that Lekjaa refrained from interference despite his influence in continental matters.

"Fouzi Lekjaa (President of the Moroccan Federation) has nothing to do with interfering in these matters despite his strength within the continent, which confirms his integrity and the entitlement of any Moroccan to win continental awards," Zaki remarked.

The former goalkeeper also revealed technical difficulties he faced during the voting process, leading to his inability to cast a vote for Hakimi.

"I did not vote even though I was nominated for it. I had a number of technical problems while I was voting. 

"Despite the intervention of the university and the Confederation of African Football, I think that someone did it in my place and I was not able to vote in the CAF awards,” Zaki explained.
 

Adeyemi Adewale

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