Lookman and Nnadozie Headline Nigeria’s Finalists for CAF Awards

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are at the forefront of Nigeria’s bid for glory at the upcoming CAF Awards. The prestigious event is set to take place on Monday, December 16, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

Nnadozie, the Paris FC goalkeeper, is in contention for two significant accolades. She has been shortlisted for the Women’s Player of the Year award alongside Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Babra Banda. Additionally, Nnadozie is a strong favorite to retain her title as Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, further cementing her reputation as one of Africa’s finest in the position.

In the men’s category, Lookman faces stiff competition for the Men’s Player of the Year award. The 27-year-old Nigerian international is up against Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Both Lookman and Nnadozie aim to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Victor Osimhen, the reigning Men’s Player of the Year, and Asisat Oshoala, the record six-time Women’s Player of the Year winner.

Nigeria’s national teams also feature prominently in the awards. The Super Eagles have been nominated for the CAF National Team of the Year award, alongside AFCON 2023 champions Ivory Coast and South Africa. Their nomination stems from their impressive AFCON campaign in Ivory Coast, where they progressed through the group stages, defeated Cameroon, Angola, and South Africa, and narrowly lost to the hosts in the final. The team also topped their group during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Similarly, the Super Falcons are vying for the Women’s National Team of the Year award. They are up against Morocco and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. Despite a relatively quiet 2024, the Falcons represented Africa at the Olympics, where they faced tough opposition from Brazil, Spain, and Japan in the group stages. They later recorded a double-header victory over Algeria and concluded the year with a narrow 2-1 loss to France.

The spotlight on Nigerian women’s football extends beyond Nnadozie and the Falcons. Falconets and Rivers Angels forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu has been named among the final three for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. She is competing with FC Masar’s Habiba Sabry and Asfar’s Doha El Madani. Okwuchukwu shone brightly at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring two goals and providing an assist to help Nigeria reach the Round of 16.

Adding to the impressive nominations, Nigeria Women Football League champions Edo Queens are in the running for the Women’s Club of the Year award. They face competition from CAF Women’s Champions League winners TP Mazembe and Asfar.

As the CAF Awards approach, the stage is set for a night of celebration and recognition of African football excellence. Nigerian football fans eagerly await the outcomes, hoping for a clean sweep by their representatives in various categories.

Cameroon star backs Lookman to win CAF Player award

As the celebration for the 2024 CAF Africa Player award gears up, Cameroon international Flavien Enzo Boyomo is confident that Nigeria international and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is the favourite to win the men’s best player award, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Lookman, who made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during his club’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last season, has been getting massive backing from teammates, stakeholders and fans since CAF announced the final shortlist for the award.

Boyomo is the latest to throw his weight behind the Nigerian to claim the honour when the winner will be announced at the CAF Awards 2024 on December 16.

Lookman faces competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Algeria’s Amine Gouiri, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.

Despite the stiff competition from other nominees, the Osasuna centre-back remains confident that the Atalanta man will win the award.

“I believe Lookman will win the African Ballon d’Or,” Boyomo was quoted saying by Actu Cameroon.

“He won the Europa League and he is the one who has the best chance of winning the trophy this year.”

Lookman’s nomination comes after a remarkable season that saw him emerge as Europe’s most productive attacking player in the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign, registering 14 goal contributions (eight goals and six assists) from April onwards, more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues.

The former Everton striker’s stellar performances reached their pinnacle in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he netted a historic hat-trick to crown a season that saw him amass an impressive 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.

The former Everton man has continued with his impressive form this campaign, with the Nigeria international already notching nine goals and five assists in just 16 appearances for La Dea.

Aside from his historic and remarkable Europa League exploits with Atalanta, Lookman emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award following his 14th-placed finish at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris in October where he was the only African player nominated for the award.

Friendly: France Maintain Dominance Over Super Falcons After Securing 2-1 Win

Nigeria’s Super Falcons narrowly lost 2-1 to France in an international friendly game in Angers on Saturday.

It is now fourth wins in four games for France against the Super Falcons.

Eugenie Le Sommer and Amel Majri were the scorers for France while Ifeoma Onumunu got the Falcons ‘ goal.

Sommer broke the deadlock on 29th minute before Majri added the second in the 38th minute.

In three minutes of first half added time Onumonu pulled a goal back for the Falcons which was not enough to avoid defeat.

The Super Falcons welcome back Ashleigh Plumptre who missed the Paris Olympics due to injury.

Veteran defender Osinachi Ohale was sent off in the 97th minute after receiving her second booking.

In goal for the Falcons was Chiamaka Nnadozie while the likes of Christy Ucheibe, Gift Monday, Michelle Alozie, Jennifer Echiegini, Toni Payne, Rofiat Imuran featured for the Super Falcons.