Nigerian stars Terem Moffi and Moses Simon may have missed out on the 2023/24 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, but the award saw a familiar face return to the top. Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who previously won the award in the 2012/13 season, has secured the trophy once again.
Aubameyang's 2012/13 season was a breakout year. He finished second in the Ligue 1 top scorers' list with 19 goals, only behind the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimović. He provided 8 assists in 37 appearances and made the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. He was also recognized as Ligue 1 African Player of the Year that season.
Fast forward to the present, and Aubameyang's resurgence at Olympique de Marseille is a story of redemption. The 34-year-old striker is once again the league's top African goalscorer with 16 goals. This impressive form clearly swayed the 80-member journalist panel that voted for the winner. Aubameyang amassed a commanding 252 points, far exceeding his competitors. PSG's Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi followed in second with 136 points, and Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb of Lille came in third with 112 points.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Aubameyang. He joins Ivorian forward Gervinho as the only players to win the award twice since its inception. Gervinho achieved consecutive wins in 2010 and 2011.
A legacy remembered; the Marc-Vivien Foé Award
Jointly organised by Radio France Internationale and France 24, the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé pays homage to the former Cameroonian midfielder. Foe, who tragically passed away during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup match between Cameroon and Colombia, is a legend of the sport. The award serves as a poignant reminder of talents from Alkebulan, inspiring future generations of African footballers.
Nigerian aspirations fall short as Moses Simon & Terem Moffi miss out
This year's award ceremony witnessed the surprising absence of Nigerian players from the top contenders' list. While both Moses Simon and Terem Moffi were instrumental in propelling the Super Eagles to the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Ivory Coast, where they ultimately fell short to the host nation, their individual Ligue 1 performances this season weren't enough to secure a podium finish.
Another notable omission was Egyptian forward Mostafa Mohamed, currently eighth on the league's highest scorer list. Mostafa, who plays with Simon at club level, has amassed a slightly commendable record of 8 goals and 2 assists this season. He also had a wonderful outing at AFCON 2024 in the colors of the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Super Eagles’ Simon, on the other hand, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending injury during the international break held in April 2024. The former Levante forward will be happy to see that his teammates have secured their place in Ligue 1 and avoided relegation. Before his injury, Simon was widely recognized as one of the league's most creative forces, consistently delivering impressive performances.
Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, he managed to start 21 league matches and made one substitute appearance, contributing 3 goals and 6 assists. Currently, his team FC Nantes sits in the 14th position, with 33 points from 33 games.
Similar to Simon's situation, Moffi, another key member of the current Super Eagles squad, witnessed his club, OGC Nice, begin the season with a promising start. While 2023 proved to be a successful year for the young striker, he has recently encountered challenges with his form. It's worth noting that Moffi was also shortlisted for the award last season.
At the age of 24, Moffi holds the record for being the youngest player on the all-time list of highest-scoring Nigerians in Ligue 1, with a remarkable tally of 51 goals. He has established himself as a prolific goalscorer in the French top flight. This season, he has contributed 11 goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances.
A look back at Nigerians who have won the award
Before Aubameyang's recent triumph, only two Nigerians have been etched onto the trophy's honor roll. Victor Osimhen secured the award during the 2019/20 season with Lille OSC, after scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama also received the recognition during the 2013/14 season, due to his exceptional shot-stopping skills and leadership qualities that season with Lille.
