Ademola Lookman wins 2024 CAF African Player of the Year as Super Falcons Nnadozie shines

Nigeria celebrated a triumphant night at the 2024 CAF Awards on Monday in Marrakech, Morocco, as Ademola Lookman was crowned African Player of the Year, the Super Falcons retained their Women’s National Team of the Year title, and Chiamaka Nnadozie successfully defended her Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman became the seventh Nigerian to claim the prestigious African Player of the Year award, continuing the country’s rich tradition in the category. His victory marks back-to-back wins for Nigeria following Victor Osimhen’s triumph in 2023.

The 26-year-old striker enjoyed a stellar 2024, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s football success.

Lookman was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ campaign at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scoring three goals and providing two assists as Nigeria reached their eighth AFCON final in February.

His performance at club level further cemented his status as one of Africa’s finest, with a memorable hat-trick for Atalanta sealing the UEFA Europa League title against Bayer Leverkusen in May.

Lookman’s impressive form has continued into the current season, where he has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in just 18 appearances across all competitions, including a standout strike against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

His closest competitors for the award included Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.

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Lookman’s win also sees Nigeria surpass Ivory Coast with a total of seven African Player of the Year titles. Past Nigerian winners 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 wins.

In the women’s category, Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie successfully defended her Goalkeeper of the Year award, beating South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi.

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Nnadozie’s achievements in 2024 were remarkable, including her crucial role in helping Nigeria qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Despite her success, Nnadozie narrowly missed out on the Women’s Player of the Year award, which went to Zambia’s Barbara Banda. Banda’s win ended Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala’s reign, following Oshoala’s record-breaking sixth title last year.

The Super Falcons retained their Women’s National Team of the Year award, capping off a successful year for Nigeria’s women’s football. The team maintained their dominance as Africa’s top-ranked side on FIFA’s rankings.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, who accepted the award on behalf of the team, dedicated it to Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

However, the Super Eagles missed out on the Men’s National Team of the Year award, which went to AFCON champions Ivory Coast. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were also among the nominees.

In other categories, Egypt’s Al Ahly were named Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe of DR Congo claimed the Women’s Club of the Year title, beating Nigeria’s Edo Queens.

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Senegal’s Lamine Camara retained the Men’s Young Player of the Year award, while Egypt’s Doha El Madani won the women’s category, edging out Nigeria’s Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams enjoyed a stellar evening, winning both the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and the Interclub Player of the Year awards. Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy claimed the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year honour.

In coaching categories, Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae was named Men’s Coach of the Year following the Elephants’ AFCON success, while TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi won the Women’s Coach of the Year award.

Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu capped off the evening by winning the Goal of the Year award.

The 2024 CAF Awards highlighted Nigeria’s enduring influence on African football, with Lookman, Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons reinforcing the nation’s status as a powerhouse on the continent.

As Nigerian players continue to excel on both club and international stages, the future looks bright for the country’s football ambitions.

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