By Jide Alaka
Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year. The 27-year-old Atalanta forward becomes the seventh Nigerian player to win this prestigious award, succeeding his compatriot Victor Osimhen.
Lookman’s incredible year included 22 goals, notably a hat trick in the Europa League final that secured Atalanta’s first-ever continental title. He also played a key role in Nigeria’s journey to the Afcon final.
The Super Falcons also won the Women’s National Team of the Year award after their excellent performances, especially at the Paris Olympics.
Chiamaka Nnadozie retained the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. She thanked the CAF president and the NFF, especially her club Paris FC, which invested a lot in her to help her get to where she is today, and Kazeem Eletu, her adopted father.
Similarly, Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made history at the CAF Awards after he walked away with two big honours of the night.
Ronwen won the Interclub Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year award, the first South African to win it.
He also became the second Premier Soccer League player to win the Interclub Player of the Year award.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe honoured the Egypt Football Association and Cameroon President Paul Biya with the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement award.
Infantino congratulated Morocco on being selected as co-hosts for the 2030 Fifa World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. In the Women’s Player of the Year award category, Zambia’s Barbra Banda trumped Nnadozie.
