Full List: Lookman, Ekong nominated for 2024 CAF men’s footballer of the year award

Ademola Lookman and William Troost Ekong have been nominated for the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s player of the year award.

The duo will battle Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Simon Adingra of Cote d’Ivoire, and Serhou Guirassy of Guinea for the most coveted individual prize for male footballers on the continent.

Lookman was the standout performer in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season, netting a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

The 27-year-old winger also made an impact for Nigeria, scoring three goals in seven appearances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

At the 2023 AFCON, Troost-Ekong was named the tournament’s best player, scoring three goals and leading Nigeria to a second-place finish.

The CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16.

FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS FOR 2024 CAF AWARD

Men’s national team of the year

• Angola
• Burkina Faso
• Ivory Coast
• DR Congo
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Uganda
• Men’s Young Player of the Year

• Carlos Baleba
• Karim Konaté
• Oumar Diakite
• Yankuba Minteh
• Abdul Aziz Issah
• Bilal El Khannouss
• Eliesse Ben Seghir
• El Hadji Malick Diouf
• Lamine Camara
• Amanallah Memmiche

Men’s Interclub Player of the Year

• Oussama Benbot
• Issoufou Dayo
• Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’
• Hussein El Shahat
• Mostafa Shobeir
• Abdul Aziz Issah
• John Antwi
• Amanallah Memmiche
• Yassine Meriah
• Ronwen Williams

Men’s Player of the Year

• Ademola Lookman
• Amine Gouiri
• Achraf Hakimi
• Chancel Mbemba
• Ronwen Williams
• Sehoru Guirassy
• Simon Adingra
• Soufinane Rahimi
• William Troost-Ekoong

Men’s Club of the Year

• Petro Luanda
• TP Mazembe
• Al Ahly
• Zamalek
• Dreams FC
• RS Berkane
• Mamelodi Sundowns
• Simba SC
• Yanga
• Esperance de Tunis

Coach of the Year

• Pedro Gonçalves (Angola)
• Brahima Traore (Burkina Faso)
• Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire)
• José Gomes (Zamalek)
• Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
• Chiquinho (Mozambique)
• Hugo Broos (South Africa)
• Florent Ibenge (Al Hilal)
• Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)

Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games

After six successful editions, Adron Homes & Properties continues to play a pivotal role in the development of sports and talent discovery in Nigeria through its annual sporting event, the Adron Games. What began as a corporate wellness initiative has now grown into one of the nation’s premier platforms for identifying and nurturing young talents, while promoting physical fitness and community engagement.

The 2024 edition, themed “Fit to Be the Biggest”, marks the 7th consecutive year of Adron Games, further cementing the company’s commitment to the sponsorship of grassroots sports. With each edition, Adron Homes not only creates a space for corporate teams and individuals to compete but also paves the way for the next generation of athletes to shine on a national stage.

This year’s event, set to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan from November 29th to 30th, brings even more opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities across a wide variety of sporting disciplines, including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, Table Tennis, Snooker, Shot Put, Long Jump, E-sports, and Tug of War. With two Nigeria’s Ex International, Daniel Amokachi and Mutiu Adepoju both legendary figures in Nigerian football serving as ambassadors, the games underscore the crucial role of sports in shaping lives and fostering unity.

Daniel Amokachi, while addressing the media at the event’s unveiling, emphasized the need for consistent support from businesses and brands to nurture talent in Nigeria. “Sports in Nigeria need more support from businesses and brands to help discover and nurture young talent. Through initiatives like the Adron Games, we’re able to uncover the next generation of stars while also promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Amokachi.

In line with Adron Homes’ strategic goals, Emmanuel Oladapo, Director of Sport Adron Homes and the Organising Department, shed light on the innovative developments and strategies being brought to this year’s games. During his speech, Oladapo emphasized the importance of preparation and structure in making this year’s Adron Games the most successful yet.

“We’re focused on ensuring that every aspect of this year’s games is elevated. From athlete development to team preparation, my team and I are introducing new strategies that will provide a more competitive and organized experience for all participants. We want to make sure the games grow bigger each year while also ensuring that they remain an important platform for talent discovery,” Oladapo stated.

He further highlighted a series of pre-event activities leading up to November, which have been designed to ensure that teams are fully prepared for the competition. These preparatory events, which include team training sessions, practice tournaments, and fitness camps, will help refine skills and foster teamwork among the athletes. “We want the teams to have ample opportunity to train, strategize, and perfect their game before the main event in November,” Oladapo explained.

As part of the unveiling, Oladapo also showcased the official team jerseys, which were presented to the respective teams. The jerseys, designed to promote team spirit and a sense of unity, reflect the vibrant and competitive nature of Adron Games. “These jerseys represent more than just clothing; they symbolize the hard work, dedication, and passion that each team will bring to the field. We’re proud to have created a look that inspires pride and excellence,” he added.

By investing in sports sponsorship, Adron Homes not only encourages a culture of fitness and wellness but also contributes to the larger goal of empowering youth and developing Nigeria’s sports industry. The company’s Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has been at the forefront of these efforts, recognizing the transformative power of sports as a tool for positive change.

Mutiu Adepoju, speaking at the media briefing, echoed this sentiment, stressing the unifying power of sports and commending Adron Homes for their ongoing dedication to its promotion. “Sports is not only about fitness but also about unity and creating opportunities for the youth. Adron Homes’ commitment to this cause is invaluable in the continued development of sports in Nigeria,” Adepoju remarked.

As Adron Games 2024 approaches, the spotlight is once again on sports as a catalyst for talent discovery and community development, with Adron Homes & Properties leading the charge.
For more information, sponsorship, vendor registration and inquiries, please contact:
Mr Emmanuel Oladapo: 08100760100
Adron Sports Foundation: 08061594375

Saudi striker al-Muwallad in intensive care after falling off balcony

Saudi international striker Fahad al-Muwallad has been placed in intensive care after plummeting off the balcony of his residence in Dubai, Saudi and Emirati authorities said Sunday.

The 30-year-old, who played in the 2018 World Cup but was withdrawn from the 2022 squad due to a doping ban, fell from his second-storey flat while on holiday in the emirate according to the Dubai government media office

It added Muwallad as a result was “in intensive care at a hospital in Dubai”.

The Saudi consulate in Dubai confirmed in a statement on X early Sunday it was informed of an “accident at (Muwallad’s) private residence… on Thursday”.

The consulate “is following the investigations conducted with the police” in Dubai, it said in a statement posted on X.

Muwallad plays for Saudi side Al-Shabab, whose captain travelled to Dubai to check on Muwallad’s condition, the club said.

Saudi newspaper Al-Madina meanwhile pointed to “criminal suspicions”, citing “informed sources”.

Before joining Al-Shabab, the striker played for Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad and enjoyed a successful international career, scoring 17 goals in 74 international matches.

He has, though, also had a chequered career in terms of doping, serving two bans.

The first in May 2019 and the latest between March 2022 and September 2023, after testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic that masks the presence of anabolic steroids and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).