Fungai Muderere
CHELSEA star Nicolas Jackson is one of many big-name African stars to be snubbed from the final shortlist for African Player of the Year.
The Senegal international netted 17 goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge, earning his role as Chelsea’s first-choice striker under Mauricio Pochettino.
Upon Enzo Maresca’s arrival at the club, Jackson held down the number nine spot for Chelsea, being preferred to Christopher Nkunku at the start of the season.
Jackson has scored five goals in just nine appearances at the start of the campaign, continuing his fine form from last season.
However, the 23-year-old has now been snubbed as the African Player of the Year shortlist has been revealed.
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson is not the only high-profile name to be excluded from the final shortlist, with Mohammed Salah of Liverpool and Egypt also snubbed. Salah is a previous two-time winner of the prize.
The winner of the award will be announced on 16 December, as part of a high-profile ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco.
West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface have also missed out.
Amine Gouri, Edmond Tapsoba, Simon Adingra, Chancel Mbemba, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Soufiane Rahimi, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams have all been nominated for the gong.
Jackson will be hoping that he can hold down his place in Chelsea’s starting XI going into 2025 and earn his place among the finalists for next year’s awards.
The forward did not travel to Greece with his team-mates as he has been given a rest by Maresca during Chelsea’s second match in the Conference League. He is expected to return to the starting line-up when Chelsea face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today.