Morocco is boiling with anger following Nigeria’s Adola Lman being awarded the 2024 Men’s Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This prestigious accolade, which crowns Lman as Africa’s finest soccer player, has ignited a firestorm of discontent among Moroccan fans and players alike.

The backlash intensified when Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi publicly criticized the decision, asserting that his stellar season warranted recognition. This sentiment was echoed by sports analysts and media in Morocco, who expressed deep disappointment over Hakimi’s exclusion from the award. Many believe that his contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain should have earned him the coveted title.

Despite the uproar, Lman’s remarkable achievements cannot be overlooked. The Nigerian forward made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final and played a pivotal role in helping Nigeria reach the finals of both the Africa Cup of Nations and Copa Italia. His accolades include being named Atlanta’s Player of the Season and earning multiple “Man of the Match” awards.

Moroccan analysts lament that this decision overlooks the brilliance displayed by Moroccan players, especially following their strong performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They argue that the CAF has consistently overlooked Moroccan talent, calling for recognition of Hakimi’s exceptional consistency throughout the year.

As tensions escalate, the football community watches closely, with the rivalry between Morocco and Nigeria becoming more pronounced. While Nigeria celebrates its achievements, Morocco’s frustration continues to simmer, questioning the fairness of such prestigious awards in recognizing Africa’s footballing talent. The fallout from this decision is sure to reverberate throughout the continent’s soccer landscape.