Bankole and Danjuma nominated for CAF awards after guiding Nigeria to knockout stage

Two Nigerian coaches, Bankole Olowookere and Christopher Danjuma, have been nominated for the 2024 CAF Awards, Soccernet.ng reports.

Olowookere led the Super Flamingos of Nigeria to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in the Dominican Republic.

His team delivered outstanding performances in the group stage, defeating New Zealand 4-1, Ecuador 4-0, and the host nation 1-0 to top their group with nine points.

Despite their impressive form, the Flamingos lost 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Nigeria was the only African team to reach the knockout stage.

Danjuma also guided the U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, to an impressive outing at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The team defeated South Korea and Venezuela in the group stage but exited in the round of 16 after losing to Japan.

Nigeria was again the only African team to progress beyond the group stage, as Cameroon, Ghana, and Morocco were all eliminated early.

Olowookere and Danjuma are among the nominees for the CAF Awards alongside other prominent coaches, including:

Hassan Balla Abdousalami (Cameroon U-20)
Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)
Mildred Cheche (Kenya U-17)
Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)
Moses Adukwu (Edo Queens)
Mbayang Thiam (Aigles de la Medina)
Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)