Ademola Lookman Wins CAF Men's Player Of The Year Award

Sports

Ademola Lookman Wins CAF Men's Player Of The Year Award

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. Meanwhile, the Super Falcons retained their title as Women's National Team of the Year, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie defended her title as Goalkeeper of the Year.

Lookman’s triumph made him the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award and maintained Nigeria’s impressive record in the category following Victor Osimhen’s victory last year.

The Atalanta striker had an impressive year, contributing three goals and two assists as Nigeria reached their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final in February. His hat trick also secured the UEFA Europa League title for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen in May.

The 26-year-old has continued his fine form this season, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, including a notable strike against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, the Punch reported.

His closest challengers included Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, whose second-half performance helped the Elephants overcome Nigeria in the AFCON final; Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy; South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams; and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

Nigeria's victory has propelled it ahead of Ivory Coast in terms of Player of the Year awards, now totaling seven. Previous winners from Nigeria include Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023). Only Cameroon, with 11 titles, has more awards than Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Nnadozie’s exceptional year was rewarded with a second consecutive Goalkeeper of The Year award, though she missed out on the Women’s Player of The Year prize to Zambian captain Barbara Banda, who ended Asisat Oshoala’s reign after the Nigerian won a record sixth title last year.

The Paris FC goalkeeper, who helped Nigeria qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence, beat South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi to retain her crown.

The Super Falcons’ recognition as Africa’s best women’s team capped a successful year that saw them maintain their position as the continent’s top-ranked side on FIFA’s rankings.

Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau, who received the award, dedicated it to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

However, the Super Eagles missed out on the Men’s Team of the Year award to AFCON champions Ivory Coast, with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana also nominated.

In other categories, Egypt’s Al Ahly was named Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe of DR Congo claimed the women’s crown ahead of Nigeria’s Edo Queens.

Senegal’s Lamine Camara retained the Men’s Young Player of the Year award, with Egypt’s Doha El Madani winning the women’s category despite competition from Nigeria’s Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams completed a double by adding the Men’s Goalkeeper of The Year to his Interclub Player of The Year award, while Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy won the women’s interclub honor.

Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae was named Men’s Coach of the Year following the Elephants’ AFCON triumph, with TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi winning the women’s award.

Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu claimed the Goal of the Year award to round off the ceremony’s honors.