Al Sadd playmaker Akram Afif, ace Al Duhail striker Michael Olunga and Al Arabi star Youssef Msakni are in running for the Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) Best Player Award, according to the final list of nominees announced by the Qatar Stars League on Sunday.
The Board of Trustees of QFA Awards approved the final names nominated for the Best Awards for 2022-2023 football season after assessing voting and screening processes of nomination forms sent to the participants including top football officials, coaches and media representatives.
The winners of the awards will be announced during the closing ceremony of the season which will be held at the Qatar National Convention Center in Education City on May 13.
Qatar star Afif, who started the domestic football season after representing the national side at the FIFA World Cup, helped Al Sadd reach the Friday’s Amir Cup final and his tally of 10 goals in the QNB Stars League (QSL) steered the Wolves to third spot with one match remaining.
Olunga is also a strong contender for the award, helping Al Duhail to top of QSL standings besides triumphs in the Ooredoo Cup and Qatar Cup. The Kenyan star is currently the joint top scorer in the top flight with 18 goals.
Msakni has also enjoyed a fine season with Al Arabi, who remained among top four sides in the QSL in which the Tunisian has scored 13 goals. However, his teammate Omar Al Somah, who is a joint top scorer with Olunga in the QSL went out of contention along with Al Wakrah’s Jacinto Dala, who has 15 goals in the league.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s Hernan Crespo, who is hoping to seal a treble on Monday with QSL title along with Al Arabi’s Younes Ali and Al Wakrah’s Marquez Lopez have been shortlisted for Best Coach Award.
Osama Al Tairy (Al Rayyan), Jassim Jaber (Al Arabi) and Khaled Mohammed Saleh (Al Duhail) were declared frontrunners for the Best Under-23 Player Award.
Nominees for Best Player Award
2. Nominees for Best Coach Award
3 Nominees for Best Under-23 Player Award
