Lookman Wins CAF Player Of The Year Award, Nnadozie Retains Best Goalkeeper

Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman has won the best Player of the Year at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

The Super Falcons were also honored, retaining the Women’s National Team of the Year award, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive time.

Ademola Lookman became the seventh Nigerian to earn the prestigious African Player of the Year title, continuing the country’s strong legacy in the category. His win follows Victor Osimhen’s triumph last year.

The Atalanta striker had an outstanding year, scoring three goals and providing two assists to help Nigeria reach their eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in February.

Lookman’s hat-trick in May also secured the UEFA Europa League title for Atalanta in a match against Bayer Leverkusen.

This season, Lookman has been in exceptional form, netting 11 goals and delivering five assists in 18 games, including a memorable goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman faced tough competition for the award from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, whose performance in the AFCON final helped his team defeat Nigeria, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

With this victory, Nigeria now boasts seven African Player of the Year titles, moving ahead of Ivory Coast. Previous Nigerian winners include Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023). Cameroon remains the record holder with 11 titles.

In the women’s categories, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s stellar year earned her another Goalkeeper of the Year title. She played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence.

However, 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 star Asisat Oshoala’s reign, who had won the title a record six times, including last year.

The Super Falcons’ recognition as the continent’s top women’s team highlights their dominance, as they continue to lead FIFA’s rankings for African teams.

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

The Super Eagles lost the Men’s Team of the Year award to AFCON champions Ivory Coast, with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana also among the nominees.

Other notable awards included Egypt’s Al Ahly being named Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe of DR Congo won the Women’s Club of the Year award, beating Nigeria’s Edo Queens.

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

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams had a remarkable evening, winning both Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year. Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy took home the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year award.

Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae was honored as Men’s Coach of the Year for leading the Elephants to AFCON glory, while TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi won the Women’s Coach of the Year award. Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu rounded off the night by claiming the Goal of the Year award.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface had voiced his disappointment over being left out of the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.