Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has expressed his disappointment over his exclusion from the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.
Speaking about the snub in a video posted on Sunday by sports journalist, Pooja, via X, Boniface, who had a stellar 2023/2024 season, said, “Not sad, but disappointed because I had an amazing season last season, so for me not to be there… maybe the award is for African players in AFCON, I don’t know. But in general, if it’s for African Player of the Year, I think I had a great season.”
He added that while awards are not his priority, he remains focused on improving his performance.
“I don’t need to prove to anybody; I don’t really care about awards and stuff. But of course, as a football player, I want to improve, I want to do more for myself,” he said.
When asked who he believes should win, Boniface named Ademola Lookman, saying, “Lookman, for sure Lookman.”
The CAF shortlist, released in October, includes Nigerian players Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong.
However, notable omissions from the final 10 nominees are Victor Boniface and reigning titleholder Victor Osimhen.
The list features Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Sofiane Rahimi, Algeria’s Amine Gouiri, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Burkina Faso’s Edmond Tapsoba, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.