MBABANE – Sihlangu Captain Lindo Mkhonta had picked Achraf Hakimi for the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year Award.
Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele was named the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Men’s Player of the Year at a ceremony in Doha, Qatar, this past Tuesday night, while Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for a third straight year.
The Best FIFA Football Awards are decided by a unique voting system that incorporates the opinions of the entire global football community.
Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is voted on exclusively by journalists, the FIFA Men’s Player, Coach and Goalkeeper Awards are determined by four distinct groups, each carrying an equal weight of 25 per cent.
Among the voters are the head coaches of all men’s national teams from FIFA’s 211 member associations. Then Sihlangu Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane voted for Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, in that order. This means Mbappé, who is superstar for France and Spain giants Real Madrid was Ntibane’s first choice.
The captains of all men’s national teams also have a vote. Mkhonta voted for Hakimi (first choice), Dembélé and Mbappé, in that order. Born in Spain, Hakimi captains the Morocco national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world.
Captains and coaches are allowed to vote for players from their own country, but they cannot vote for themselves if they are nominated.
One specialist journalist from each territory also has a vote. These journalists are typically chosen for their expertise in covering the international and domestic game. Selected here in Eswatini was Times of Eswatini Sports Editor and award-winning sports journalist Ashmond Nzima, who had also shortlisted the eventual winner, Dembele.
Other notable media representatives from Southern Africa include popular South Africa’s sports journalist and television and radio personality Robert Marawa as well as Sikhumbuzo Moyo from Zimbabwe. The latter is among the respected journalists from Africa and has been to the World Cup, as per his LinkedIn profile.
The general public also votes through the official FIFA website. This ‘Fan Vote’ is open to anyone who registers an account during the designated voting period.
FIFA AWARDS FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
The Best FIFA Women’s Player – Aitana Bonmati
The Best FIFA Men’s Player – Ousmane Dembele
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper – Hannah Hampton
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach – Sarina Wiegman
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach – Luis Enrique
The FIFA Marta Award – Lizbeth Ovalle
The FIFA Puskas Award – Santiago Montiel
FIFA Fan Award – Fans of Zakho SC
FIFA Fair Play Award – Dr Harlass-Neuking, SSV Jahn Regensburg
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