The decision to hand the CAF Player of the Year award to Nigeria star Ademola Lookman over Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has reportedly sparked outrage in Morocco.
The 2024 CAF Awards, which took place in Marrakech on Monday night, saw the Atalanta star pick up the prestigious award after stellar showings for both club and country in the past year.
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He beat fellow nominees South African star Ronwen Williams, Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Atlas Lions star Hakimi to the prize.
However, the Super Eagles star's moment of celebration is said to have been dented when he was booed as he made his way to collect the individual trophy.
According to Nice Koora, who cited reports out of Nigeria, some of those attending the ceremony began chanting, "you are a thief", while the award was being handed to the Super Eagles star.
It has further been suggested that Lookman's triumph was not welcomed in Morocco because it came at the expense of Hakimi.
Moroccans are believed to have had high hopes for the PSG star to walk away with the award. This came after reports of leaked results put Hakimi in the driver's seat to win the esteemed POTY award.
However, those proved to be incorrect when it was confirmed that Nigeria would have back-to-back winners in the men's category since Nwankwo Kanu (1996) and Victor Ikpeba (1997) were honoured nearly three decades ago.
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Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Williams was the only double winner on the night, walking away with the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year and Men's Interclub Player of the Year awards.
Meanwhile, Senegal and Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara was named the Men's Young Player of the Year.