At the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Lamia Boumehdi emerged as the Women's Football Coach of the Year. Boumehdi, who led DR Congo's TP Mazembe to victory in this year's African Champions League, was celebrated for her exceptional leadership and coaching prowess.
During the same ceremony, Moroccan player Doha El Madani of AS FAR was recognized as the Young Player of the Year. The 19-year-old was also in contention for the Local Player of the Year award, alongside club teammate Sanaa Messaoudi, Habiba Sabry from Egypt's Masar, and Chiamaka Cristabel Okwuchukwu from Nigeria's Rivers Angels.
Moroccan international referee Bouchra Karboubi was also awarded, winning the Best Female Referee of the Year. Karboubi, who has been officiating since 2016, expressed her hope to inspire young women and girls, particularly in the Arab region, to pursue their passions. Her impressive career includes officiating at the Paris Olympic Games and the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Karboubi also made history as the first Arab woman to referee a match at the African Cup of Nations, and she was the first Moroccan woman to officiate a Throne Cup final. In 2020, she became the first woman to serve as the principal referee in a Moroccan men's league match.
AS FAR striker Sanaa Messaoudi was named the best female interclub player in Africa. The 25-year-old expressed her gratitude to King Mohammed VI and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for their support of women's football. She also acknowledged her teammates for their role in her successful return to professional competition and encouraged young girls to persevere and embrace hard work.
In the men's category, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns was honored as the best interclub player.