Lookman Crowned Africa’s Best as Nigeria Shines at 2024 CAF Awards
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was named the African Player of The Year at the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. The night also celebrated Nigeria’s dominance, with the Super Falcons retaining the Women’s National Team of The Year award and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie securing her second consecutive Goalkeeper of The Year title.
Lookman’s victory marks him as the seventh Nigerian to win the award, following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen. The Atalanta star enjoyed a standout year, contributing three goals and two assists as Nigeria reached the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in February. His stellar performance included a hat-trick in May, leading Atalanta to the UEFA Europa League title over Bayer Leverkusen.
The 26-year-old striker’s impressive season continued with 11 goals and five assists across 18 matches, including a notable goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. Lookman beat strong contenders such as Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the coveted title.
With Lookman’s triumph, Nigeria now boasts seven African Player of The Year winners, moving ahead of Ivory Coast. Other Nigerian legends to have won the award include Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).
On the women’s side, Chiamaka Nnadozie cemented her status as Africa’s top goalkeeper, clinching her second consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper of The Year award. The Paris FC shot-stopper played a pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in 16 years. However, Zambia’s Barbara Banda edged Nnadozie to win the Women’s Player of The Year award, ending Asisat Oshoala’s reign.
The Super Falcons capped off a remarkable year by retaining the Women’s National Team of The Year title, reaffirming their status as Africa’s best female football team. Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau, who received the award on behalf of the team, dedicated it to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Despite the night’s success, the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on the Men’s National Team of The Year award, which went to AFCON champions Ivory Coast.
Other notable winners include:
- Men’s Club of The Year: Al Ahly (Egypt)
- Women’s Club of The Year: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
- Men’s Young Player of The Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal)
- Women’s Young Player of The Year: Doha El Madani (Egypt)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of The Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Coach of The Year: Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast – Men), Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe – Women)
- Goal of The Year: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola)
The ceremony underscored Nigeria’s dominance in African football and highlighted the country’s rising stars on the global stage.