By Kwame Bediako
Black Stars duo Inaki Williams and Abdul Mumin have been nominated for the prestigious La Liga African Player MVP award for the 2024/25 season, highlighting their exceptional performances in one of Europe’s top football leagues.
Williams, who is in the running to defend his title, has impressed with Athletic Bilbao, while Mumin, despite an injury setback, has been a standout defender for Rayo Vallecano. Their nominations underscore the growing influence of Ghanaian talent in La Liga and African football more broadly.
This year, a total of 20 nominees from 13 different African nations are competing, representing clubs across La Liga. The winner will be determined through a combined voting process involving fans from Sub-Saharan Africa and a panel of 25 top African sports journalists. The results will be announced on Africa Day, 25 May.
Inaki Williams has been a key figure for Athletic Bilbao this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists—making him the club’s second-top scorer and third-highest assist provider in La Liga.
His contributions have been vital in Bilbao’s pursuit of a Champions League spot, with the team currently sitting fourth with 64 points. Williams’ performances also helped propel the club to the Europa League semi-finals, and he remains a crucial part of their final push for European qualification.
Abdul Mumin has also made a strong impact, despite a knee injury that has sidelined him for the rest of the season. The 24-year-old defender scored two goals and registered one assist in 24 league matches for Rayo Vallecano, helping the team secure six clean sheets.
His consistency, aerial ability, and tactical awareness have earned him recognition, including the Rayo Player of the Month award and the MVP nomination—underscoring his importance to the club’s defensive stability.
Williams and Mumin face stiff competition from other African stars such as Reinildo Mandava, Flavien Enzo Boyomo, and a talented group guiding Villarreal’s European ambitions. Voting remains open until 14 May, with the winner set to be revealed on Africa Day.
