Ghanaian duo Inaki Williams and Abdul Mumin in contention for La Liga African Player of the Year

Ghanaian players Inaki Williams and Abdul Mumin are nominated for the 2024/25 Sporty LaLiga African MVP award. This award recognizes the best African player in Spain's top league each season.

The award is now in its fourth year. It features 20 nominees from 13 African countries. Fans from Sub-Saharan Africa and a panel of 25 sports journalists will vote for the winner.

Inaki Williams, last season’s winner, aims to keep his title. He had another impressive season with Athletic Bilbao. Williams scored six goals and provided six assists in La Liga. He ranks second among Bilbao’s scorers and third in assists across the league.

His contributions have helped Athletic Club push for a Champions League spot. The team is currently fourth in the table with 64 points and three games left. They also reached the Europa League semifinals, where Williams scored five goals and made one assist.

Abdul Mumin joins him on the nominee list after strong performances for Rayo Vallecano. His season was cut short by a knee injury, but he played well in 24 matches. Mumin scored two goals, assisted once, and helped secure six clean sheets.

His defensive stats show his impact: 120 clearances, 37 tackles, and an 83/149 success rate in duels highlight his importance to Rayo's defense. He won Rayo Player of the Month and La Liga’s Goal of the Month for September.

Since joining Rayo in 2022 from Vitória Guimarães, Mumin has become vital to their defense. He helps them aim for European football for the first time since the 2000/01 season.

Williams and Mumin face tough competition from other top African talents. Notable nominees include Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique) from Atlético Madrid, Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Cameroon) from Osasuna, and Villarreal’s trio of Pape Gueye (Senegal), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast), and Logan Costa (Cape Verde).

Voting is open until May 14, with results announced on May 25—Africa Day—during La Liga's final matchday. Williams hopes to win back-to-back awards while Mumin seeks to be only the second Ghanaian winner.

Full List of Nominees:

- Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) – Ghana
- Reinildo Mandava (Atlético de Madrid) – Mozambique
- Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis) – DR Congo
- Ilaix Moriba (RC Celta) – Guinea
- Moussa Diarra (Deportivo Alavés) – Mali
- Djené Dakonam (Getafe CF) – Togo
- Christantus Uche (Getafe CF) – Nigeria
- Yvan Neyou (CD Leganés) – Cameroon
- Seydouba Cisse (CD Leganés) – Guinea
- Omar Mascarell (RCD Mallorca) – Equatorial Guinea
- Flavien Enzo Boyomo (CA Osasuna) – Cameroon
- Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano) – Ghana
- Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano) – Senegal
- Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano) – Angola
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC) – Nigeria
- Umar Sadiq (Valencia CF) – Nigeria
- Pape Gueye (Villarreal CF) – Senegal
- Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal CF) – Ivory Coast
- Logan Costa (Villarreal CF) – Cape Verde
- Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis) – Senegal