Form in the Afcon finals certainly looks to be a key factor in Caf’s shortlists.

Brighton forward Simon Adingra, who scored both goals in the final against Ivory Coast, is on the player of the year list alongside Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who have both had impressive tournament appearances.

Soufiane Rahimi was nominated after scoring eight goals, including one from Atlas Lions teammate Achraf Hakimi, in Morocco’s bronze medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ivory Coast are leading the nominations in the national team category and Elephants’ manager Emerse Fae is in the running for coach of the year after masterminding an epic Nations Cup victory on home soil.

Brighton duo Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh have been shortlisted for young player of the year alongside Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.

The nominees in the women’s category have not yet been announced by Café, with the awards ceremony to be held in Marrakech, Morocco on December 16.