When the market opens later this year, some strong candidates will likely be included among the 2024 African Footballer of the Year odds.
After an enthralling 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, we look at some of the top contenders for this prestigious award. From Nigerian greats to Ivory Coast AFCON victors, these are our early African Footballer of the Year picks.
African Footballer of the Year odds – Top picks
Victor Osimhen
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, is one of the favourites to win the award for a second year running.
The Nigerian striker has scored five goals in four matches since returning from the AFCON finals, including a 16-minute hat-trick in Napoli’s recent 6-1 demolition of Sassuolo.
In addition to his consistently high standards in Naples, Osimhen also helped the Super Eagles reach the AFCON final in 2024. Nigeria eventually lost 2-1 against the Ivory Coast, but Osimhen was the attacking focal point in the competition, and appeared in every AFCON fixture.
Despite contributing with just one goal and an assist, the 25-year-old’s hold-up play and relentless pressing were key to Nigeria’s counter-attacking approach in the tournament.
Serhou Guirassy
VfB Stuttgart’s goal machine Serhou Guirassy is scoring goals at a faster rate than Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland this season.
The Guinea international has the best goals-per-match return (1.36) in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Such numbers have come from the striker’s 20 Bundesliga goals in just 15 starts. This incredible scoring form has helped Stuttgart maintain an unlikely push for a top-four spot in the Bundesliga this season.
It was unfortunate to see Guirassy’s playing time in the 2023 AFCON was limited due to injury. The 27-year-old picked up a thigh strain days before the tournament, leading to just one start in Guinea’s four matches.
Sébastien Haller
Sébastien Haller’s inspirational comeback story will likely put him into African Player of the Year contention.
The Ivory Coast forward was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2022 but returned to footballing action with Borussia Dortmund in January 2023 after successfully recovering from the illness.
The 29-year-old capped his remarkable return with a fairytale finish to the AFCON final. Ivory Coast trailed Nigeria 1-0 in the final before Franck Kessié levelled the scores in the 62nd minute.
With just nine minutes of normal time remaining, Haller wrote his name into Ivorian football folklore, as he expertly flicked Simon Adingra’s cross into the net and ensured victory for the host nation.
The goal was a fitting personal moment for the Ivory Coast striker, who also provided a key goal in the semi-final to lead the Elephants to a 1-0 win over DR Congo.
Sadio Mané
Senegal captain Sadio Mané is a consistent performer and a serious goal contributor at the highest level.
Even though the Lions of Teranga could not successfully defend their AFCON title this year, Mané was a top performer for the nation once again. Three assists and one goal led Senegal to the round of 16 when they lost on penalties to eventual winners Ivory Coast.
In the Saudi Pro League, Mané also continues to show why he is one of the best African players of modern times. His goal contribution numbers continue to impress as the Senegalese forward has scored nine goals and made four assists for Al-Nassr this season.
Despite Senegal’s shortcomings in the AFCON finals, Mané proves time and time again that he is one of the most exciting African players today.
William Troost-Ekong
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong produced a true leader's performance throughout the 2023 AFCON. The 30-year-old defender played every minute of the Super Eagles’ campaign, and was vital at both ends of the pitch.
Troost-Ekong’s authority and defensive solidity helped Nigeria keep four AFCON clean sheets. Yet, the PAOK defender also showcased a touch of goalscoring class, and finished as Nigeria’s joint-top AFCON 2023 goalscorer with three strikes.
Such an all-round top-level display is hard to come by at the highest level of football. Consequently, Troost-Ekong could be a strong outsider among the African Footballer of the Year odds.
