CAF Awards 2023: Algeria Boycott Event Following Withdrawal of Mahrez and USMA From Final Shortlists

• Algeria's national football structure boycotted the 2023 CAF Awards in Morocco on Monday
• The Algerian FA boss claims winger Riyad Mahrez was unfairly withdrawn from the shortlist
• Despite the North Africans' absence, CAF announced Victor Osimhen as the top men's player

The Algerian Football Federation did not attend the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards which took place in Marrakesh, Morocco on Monday night.

The decision to boycott the awards was said to be a show of solidarity with Riyad Mahrez and the local league club, Union Sportive de la Medina d’Alger (USMA).

Despite winning the treble with Manchester City last season, Mahrez failed to make the final shortlist while USMA did not make the nomination for the best inter-club team.

According to the Algerian Football Federation boss, Walid Sadi, no Algerian would be attending the awards ceremony in Marrakech, per Morocco World News.

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"I will not attend the CAF Awards ceremony. I have informed CAF of my decision and, with the grace of God, no Algerian will be present at this event in solidarity with Riyad Mahrez and the Union Sportive de la Medina d’Alger," he said at the press briefing, as quoted by Dzair Tube.

At the time, Osimhen was leading the race for the 2023 award alongside Egypt and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi.

Mahrez, meanwhile, scored 17 goals and provided 19 assists as Man City secured the European treble last season, as reported by Transfermarkt.

The 31-year-old left the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titans in the summer transfer window to join Saudi Arabian giants, Al-Ahli on a three-year deal.

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Sports Brief previously reported that Mahrez believed he was a favourite to win the 2023 African Player of the Year award this year.

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The 32-year-old won a historic treble with Manchester City before joining the Saudi Arabian giants in the summer transfer window.

As part of the initial shortlist for the award, he faced stern competition from Nigeria's Victor Osimhen and Morocco's Yassine Bounou.