NFF Expresses Strong Support for Lookman and Nnadozie Ahead of CAF Awards
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has voiced its full support for Nigerian football stars, Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie, as they prepare to compete for top honors at the 2024 CAF Awards, set to take place today in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Lookman and Nnadozie lead Nigeria’s charge for accolades at the prestigious ceremony, where the country is in contention for seven awards across both men’s and women’s categories.
In the men’s category, Lookman, who has been in scintillating form for Atalanta, is up against four other finalists. The 27-year-old forward will vie for the African Player of the Year award alongside Ivorian Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The NFF has expressed strong confidence in Lookman’s candidacy, with the federation’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, declaring him the deserving winner in a statement titled “2024 CAF Awards: Lookman is the Man, Whichever Way You Look at It!” Olajire emphasized Lookman’s exceptional contributions, particularly highlighting his three goals and two assists that propelled Nigeria to the AFCON final, as well as his impressive performances for Atalanta, including a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League.
In comparison, Olajire stated that none of the other nominees can match Lookman’s remarkable achievements, especially his success in both domestic and international football.
In the women’s category, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is a prime contender for both the Women’s Player of the Year award and the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year honor. Nnadozie’s stellar performances with the national team and her club, Paris FC, have earned her rave reviews. She was pivotal in Nigeria’s qualification for next year’s AFCON and played a crucial role in the Falcons’ qualification for the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence.
The NFF has lauded Nnadozie’s achievements, noting that winning the Player of the Year award would cap an exceptional year for the goalkeeper, who helped elevate Nigerian women’s football on the global stage.
Nigeria is also represented in several other categories, including National Team of the Year. Both the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons are nominated for the prestigious award, competing against the likes of Ivory Coast (AFCON 2023 winners) and South Africa.
Additionally, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, forward for Falconets and Rivers Angels, has been shortlisted for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. Okwuchukwu shone at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, contributing two goals and one assist despite the team’s early exit.
Nigeria’s women’s football scene continues to make waves, with the Nigeria Women’s Football League champions, Edo Queens, nominated for the Women’s Club of the Year award. They will compete against TP Mazembe and Asfar, who won the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The nominations for Lookman, Nnadozie, and several other Nigerian players underscore the country’s strong presence in African football. A win for both Lookman and Nnadozie in the men’s and women’s categories would make Nigeria the first country to produce the winners of both awards in two consecutive years, following the victories of Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in 2023.
The NFF’s backing of Lookman and Nnadozie highlights the federation’s confidence in Nigeria’s football talent as they aim for top honors at the CAF Awards.