CAF Awards 2024: Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Lookman, Nnadozie, and Super Falcons

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on being named the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also applauded Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and commended the Super Falcons for clinching the Women’s National Team of the Year honor.

The awards, which celebrate excellence in African football, took place on Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the winners as exemplary ambassadors of Nigeria, praising their talent and contributions to the nation’s pride on the global stage.

“As a proud Nigerian and football enthusiast, I celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie at the 2024 CAF Awards. Their victories as the Men’s African Footballer of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year are a source of immense pride,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recognition as the 2023 Women’s National Team of the Year, emphasizing their dominance as Africa’s best female football team.

“These awards reflect the dedication, skill, and hard work of our footballers. They have not only brought personal acclaim but also showcased the immense potential of Nigerian football to the world,” he added.

Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded by encouraging young Nigerian footballers to draw inspiration from the achievements of Lookman, Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons, reaffirming his government’s commitment to supporting the sport.

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.

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.