CAF Awards 2024: Lookman, Nnadozie, Super Falcons shine in Morocco

Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Super Falcons have emerged as winners at the CAF Awards, Soccernet.ng reports.

Super Eagles and Atalanta winger Lookman clinched the 2024 African Men’s Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards, which was held in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday night, 18 December.

Lookman won the biggest African individual prize by beating stern competition from Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi, 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner with Ivory Coast Simon Adingra, towering Guinean forward Serhou Guirassy and brilliant South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Speaking shortly after scooping the award, Lookman said: “To be recognised as the best player in Africa is incredible.”

Ademola Lookman’s CAF Men’s Footballer of the Year victory: Reviewing his journey and exploits

It has been a spectacular journey for Ademola Lookman in 2024, which strongly positioned him for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

The contributions of the 27-year-old for both club and country have been nothing short of exceptional, as he notched up 28 goals and 12 assists so far in 2024.

Lookman played a starring role in the Super Eagles’ march to the final of the 2023 AFCON, scoring three goals and providing one assist along the way.

The former Leipzig man scripted history by becoming the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final, scoring all three goals in the victory over Bayer Leverkusen to help Atalanta clinch their first European title since its founding in 1907.

With that feat, he became the only player to bag a hat-trick in a one-legged Men’s European final since Pierino Prati in 1969.

Lookman’s scintillating heroics pushed him to become the first Atalanta player nominated for the Ballon d’Or. He finished 14th place, becoming among the few highest-ranked Nigerian players in the global individual award ceremony.

Ademola Lookman joins an iconic list of former CAF Player of the Year winners from Nigeria

Legendary Nigerian players have been recognised in Africa’s biggest individual award category over the years.

On this platform, quite a number of former and present Super Eagles stars have mounted the podium of greatness, earning crucial recognition for their exceptional performances and contributions to the club and country in the year under review.

With his latest triumph at the CAF 2024 awards, Lookman has joined an illustrious list of Nigerian players who previously lifted the coveted prize.

    • Rashidi Yekini – 1993
    • Emmanuel Amuneke – 1994
    • Victor Ikpeba – 1997
    • Nwankwo Kanu – 1996 & 1999
    • Victor Osimhen – 2023
    • Ademola Lookman – 2024

Super Eagles fall short but Super Falcons reign supreme

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were nominated in the Men’s National Team of the Year category. However, they fell short of the mark, as the Ivorian AFCON triumphant team emerged as the winners of the Men’s National Team of the Year.

Nonetheless, Nigeria were not to be denied the second time, as the Super Falcons clinched the Women’s National Team of the Year prize ahead of Banyana Banyana of South Africa and the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

And for the second time in a row, Chiamaka Nnadozie took home the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The Paris FC shotstopper beat Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and Andile Dlamini of South Africa to scoop the award.

This post was last modified on December 18, 2024 11:10 pm

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad. From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.

Share
Published by
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Recent Posts

Why CAF postponed the 2024 CHAN tournament

The Confederation of African Football have announced the postponement of the 2024 CAF African Nations… Read More

2 hours ago

Sevilla director drops update on Kelechi Iheanacho’s future amid Premier League links

Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta has revealed that the club is open to selling Super… Read More

5 hours ago

West Ham rekindle interest in Super Eagles striker despite Nottingham Forest stance

English Premier League side, West Ham United, have rekindled their interest in Super Eagles and… Read More

6 hours ago

Super Eagles B team: Eric Chelle to oversee three coaches for CHAN tournament– Eguavoen excluded

Malian gaffer, Eric Chelle, will not lead the Super Eagles B team to the 8th… Read More

6 hours ago

Free-scoring Nigerian winger set to return to Europe after failed stint in the United Arab Emirates

Swiss giants FC Basel have finalised a loan deal for Nigerian winger Philip Otele from… Read More

6 hours ago

Napoli weigh up €40m bid for Borussia Dortmund’s fufu-man with strong Nigerian ties

Italian Serie A side, Napoli, are weighing up a move for Germany and Borussia Dortmund… Read More

7 hours ago