The winners at QFA Awards pose for a photo.
Doha, Qatar: Qatari playmaker Akram Afif claimed the Best Player Award as Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Sadd dominated the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards for the 2024–2025 season yesterday.
Al Sadd’s Felix Sanchez was named Best Coach while their goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham won the Best Goalkeeper Award at a glittering ceremony held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez
Al Rayyan’s Roger Guedes was formally presented with the Mansour Muftah Award for Top Scorer after netting 21 goals during the league campaign.
With Al Shamal’s Baghdad Bounedjah and Julian Draxler of Al Ahli also shortlisted, the current Asian Player of the Year, Afif, was the hot favourite to lift the top prize after leading Al Sadd’s triumphant campaign, scoring 18 goals and contributing 14 assists. He received over 89 percent of the votes in the selection process.
“I would like to thank, of course, my wife. I would like to thank my fellow players, the technical staff, the administrative staff, the medical staff and everyone who contributed to Akram’s performance. It was a tiring season for us. We went through difficult circumstances,” said Afif, who won the award for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.
Al Sadd's Akram Afif
Al Sadd clinched the QSL title after overtaking longtime leaders Al Duhail with just two rounds remaining. Coach Sanchez was preferred over Al Ahli’s Igor Biscan and Al Gharafa’s Pedro Martins for steering his side to victory in a demanding campaign.
“This season was full of challenges,” said Sanchez after receiving his award.
“I’m happy to win Best Coach award. It motivates me to work harder next season. I thank my technical staff; everyone worked tirelessly to keep us competitive throughout.”
Top Qatari custodian Barsham, who kept 10 clean sheets during the QSL season, received over 48 percent of the votes as he edged out Salah Zakaria of Al Duhail and Marwan Sharif of Al Ahli – the other two final nominees.
“There were many challenges, especially for me, because I was coming back from an injury and had surgery for the first time,” said Barsham, referring to his surgery last year following a pelvis injury.
“The support I received from my family, my brothers in the management, and the technical staff helped me regain my usual level. God willing, I will continue to do better,” he added.
The Best Under-23 Player Award went to Al Shamal’s Mohammed Mannai, who prevailed over Moaz Al Wadie of Al Shahania and Abdullah Yousef of Al Gharafa.
Meanwhile, several honorary awards not subject to voting were also presented during the ceremony.
The Order of Achievement — awarded to personalities for their lifetime contributions to the development of the game — went to the late Ahmed Omar, a former Qatari football star and technical expert at QFA, and the late Ali Mohammed Al Ali, a former Qatari footballer and Chairman of QFA’s Veteran Players’ Committee.
Al Sadd also received the Best Fans Award for the highest average fan attendance during the league season, while Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari was named Best Referee.
