Ivory Coast striker Sébastien Haller has backed his compatriot Simon Adingra to win the CAF Africa Men’s Player of the Year award.
Both players played key roles in helping the Elephants win the 2023 AFCON tournament, combining well to produce the winning goal, with Haller finishing off the Brighton winger’s cross.
While the Leganés striker acknowledged that players like Ademola Lookman and Sehihou Guirassy had better seasons at club level, he insisted he would be happy to see Adingra win the award.
Haller also highlighted Lookman’s crucial role in helping Nigeria reach the AFCON final, as the winger scored three goals and provided one assist during the tournament.
“I don’t know how they are going to vote; I don’t know how they are going to decide,” the 6’3″ striker told SportyTV.
“There are many aspects that make this decision difficult because some of them, like Guirassy, scored a lot of goals with his European club. Unfortunately, it was a bit tougher with his country.
“Lookman had a good season with his club and a great tournament at AFCON.”
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Haller’s desire to see Adingra win CAF best player award ahead of Lookman
However, Haller emphasised Adingra’s contribution to Ivory Coast’s AFCON triumph, expressing his desire to see his compatriot win the award.
“You have Adingra as well. Of course, if I have to choose someone, it will be him. I would be more than happy for him, and I spent some time with him during AFCON because we were both injured when we arrived.
“He had a good season with his club, maybe less brilliant than the other two, but he delivered when he came on at AFCON and left with the title. It will be tough.
“Let’s see what they think and what matters most to them. I will follow it closely and, hopefully, an Ivorian will get the trophy.”
The AFCON award ceremony will take place at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, December 16.
