Former Mali star Freddie Kanoute has revealed his hesitation in naming his top 3 African footballers for the 2023/24 season. However, he acknowledged Inaki Williams’ outstanding season with Athletic Club.
“I would say it is difficult to [name my top three African players],” admitted Freddie Kanoute. He nonetheless praised Williams, stating, “I am thinking about Inaki Williams who had a fantastic season with Athletic Bilbao.”
The 30-year-old forward justified Kanoute’s mention with an impressive 14 goals and 5 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions last season. His exploits propelled him to the “Best African Player in La Liga” award for the 2023/24 season. Additionally, Williams lifted the Copa del Rey trophy with Athletic Bilbao/Club.
While refraining from a definitive top 3, Kanoute offered some additional possibilities: “It’s difficult for me to give names but maybe I will say Ademola Lookman, Mohamed Salah and Inaki Williams.”
Lookman, currently playing for Atalanta, mirrored Williams’ success with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances. He also secured the UEFA Europa League title last season. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, another player Kanoute mentioned, maintained his goal-scoring prowess with 25 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances, adding the English Football League Cup to his trophy cabinet.
This trio represents a diverse range of achievements across Europe’s top leagues, making the competition for African Player of the Year truly exciting.
Kanoute, a former player for West Ham, Lyon, Sevilla, and Tottenham, boasts the prestigious CAF African Player of the Year award from 2007. Interestingly, the France-born star initially represented France at the U21 level before switching allegiance to Mali, where he amassed 23 goals in 38 appearances between 2004 and 2010. He retired from professional football in 2013.