From left: Julian Draxler, Baghdad Bounedjah. Akram Afif
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd star Akram Afif, Al Shamal’s Baghdad Bounedjah and Julian Draxler of Al Ahli have been shortlisted for the Best Player accolade to be announced at next week’s Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards.
The QFA Awards Board of Trustees has approved the final list of nominees for the top honours of the 2024-2025 Qatar Stars League (QSL) season. Al Sadd’s Felix Sanchez, Al Ahli’s Igor Biscan and Al Gharafa’s Pedro Martins are the three contenders for the Best Coach Award.
Winners in other key categories – Best Goalkeeper and Best U-23 Player – will also be revealed during the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) on May 26.
Al Rayyan’s Roger Guedes will be formally presented with the Mansour Muftah Award for Top Scorer after netting 21 goals during the league campaign.
The final list of nominees followed a comprehensive voting process that involved participation from representatives of clubs, the Qatar national and Olympic teams, the Qatar Football Association, QSL, Aspire Academy, Qatar Players Association, the host broadcaster and media representatives.
Qatari playmaker Afif, who secured his second Asian Player of the Year award last October, is considered a favourite to win the top individual honour.
He led Al Sadd to the QSL title with a standout season, scoring 18 goals and contributing 14 assists.
Algerian striker Bounedjah was also instrumental for Al Shamal, scoring 18 goals and providing nine assists as the team achieved a respectable sixth-place finish in the league.
Meanwhile, German midfielder Draxler played a pivotal role in Al Ahli’s strong campaign, helping them secure fourth place in the standings with 12 goals and seven assists.
In the Best Coach category, Pedro Martins will aim to secure recognition for Al Gharafa’s third-place finish, going up against Al Sadd’s Sanchez and Al Ahli’s Biscan.
The Best Goalkeeper Award will be contested by Salah Zakaria of Al Duhail, Marwan Sharif of Al Ahli and Meshaal Barsham of Al Sadd.
In the Best U-23 Player category, Al Gharafa’s Abdullah Yousef, Al Shamal’s Mohammed Mannai and Moaz Al Wadie are the final nominees.
Additionally, several honorary awards not subject to voting will also be presented at the ceremony. These include the Football for All Award, Best Referees Award and Best Fans Award.
