Simba SC and Yanga miss out on CAF Club of the Year shortlist
What you need to know:
- The two clubs were initially among the ten nominees but were not included in the final selection, leaving fans and analysts alike to reflect on their exclusion.
Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Yanga SC have both fallen short of the final shortlist for the prestigious CAF Club of the Year award, following the announcement of the Top Five nominees by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The two clubs were initially among the ten nominees but were not included in the final selection, leaving fans and analysts alike to reflect on their exclusion.
Alongside Simba and Yanga, other prominent clubs such as Angola’s Petro Atletico, Nigeria's Dreams FC, and DR Congo’s TP Mazembe were also cut from the list, which has now been narrowed down to the top five clubs on the continent.
The five clubs that made the final cut for the CAF Club of the Year category are: Al Ahly (Egypt), Zamalek (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia).
These clubs have been recognized for their outstanding performances in continental competitions over the past year, with Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis emerging as perennial contenders for the award.
The CAF Club of the Year award is one of the most coveted honors at the annual CAF Awards, which celebrate the best in African football. The 2024 edition of the awards is set to take place on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.
The ceremony will recognize the top-performing clubs, players, coaches, and national teams across various categories, culminating in the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year.
This year, CAF has unveiled its shortlist in several categories, including Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and the Young Player of the Year.
While Simba SC and Yanga SC have both had solid campaigns in recent seasons, their absence from the final shortlist reflects the increasing competition at the continental level.
Both clubs have been key players in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, and their fans will undoubtedly be disappointed by the omission.
Simba SC, in particular, has enjoyed strong performances in recent years, with their memorable run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 CAF Champions League. However, their efforts were not enough to make the final five in a year where clubs like Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns continued to dominate.
Despite the setback, the recognition of other African clubs, including Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Mamelodi Sundowns, underscores the growing competitiveness of the continent’s top clubs.
These teams have maintained strong performances across various competitions, and their presence on the shortlist reflects their consistency and ability to perform on the continental stage.
For Tanzanian football fans, the road to continental glory remains full of promise.
Both Simba and Yanga have the potential to bounce back and make an even stronger impact in future CAF Awards, proving that Tanzanian clubs are a force to be reckoned with in African football.
