Voting has opened for the award for the best African player in the Spanish League “La Liga Santander” for the first round of the current season.
The Spanish League launched the award starting last season, and Moroccan Yassin Bounou, the Sevilla goalkeeper, won the award in its first edition, coinciding with winning the Zamora Award.
Voting begins today, Monday, January 16, and extends until Sunday, January 29. Journalists are chosen, and La Liga fans will be able to vote in turn from Here.
Bono is competing this season with his compatriot and colleague in Seville, Youssef Al-Nusairi, Ghanaian Inaki Williams, Athletic Bilbao player, and his compatriot, Joseph Aidu, defender of Celta Vigo.
Mozambican Reneldo Mandava, defender of Atletico Madrid, and his colleague in the Rojiblancos, Geoffrey Kondogbia, captain of the Central African national team, also appeared this season.
Despite his early injury, Nigerian Omar Sadiq, Real Sociedad striker, will also be among the nominated names. Getafe captain Djeni Dakonam, Senegalese Patty Cisse, Rayo Vallecano midfielder, Senegalese Nicholas Jackson, Villarreal striker, and Senegalese Youssef Sabali, Real Betis fullback, will also attend.
“We are excited about the great group of African players from many different countries who have distinguished themselves and made their mark in LaLiga this season,” said Marcus Pellegrin, managing director of La Liga South Africa.
He added, “The 2022 World Cup demonstrated the strength of the La Liga product, as it presented the largest number of players from any international league in the semi-finals.”
He pointed out, “We feel proud of what our African players presented in the World Cup and the footprint they left in Qatar. Therefore, we are excited about the African Player of the Year competition, which exceeded our expectations in its first year, and is expected to be the biggest this season.”