Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year, while the Super Falcons retained their Women’s National Team of the Year award, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie successfully defended her Goalkeeper of the Year title at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Lookman’s victory made him the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award, reinforcing Nigeria’s dominance in the category following Victor Osimhen’s win last year. The Atalanta striker enjoyed a stellar year, scoring three goals and providing two assists as Nigeria reached their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final in February. His remarkable hat-trick in May led Atalanta to UEFA Europa League glory against Bayer Leverkusen.
The 26-year-old has maintained his impressive form this season, netting 11 goals and registering five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable strike against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
His closest competitors included Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, whose second-half performance helped the Elephants secure victory over Nigeria in the AFCON final, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.
This victory sees Nigeria extend its lead over Ivory Coast in the Player of the Year tally, with seven titles to their name. Past Nigerian winners include Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Osimhen (2023). Only Cameroon, with 11 titles, has more.
Meanwhile, Nnadozie was rewarded with a second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year award, despite missing out on the Women’s Player of the Year prize to Zambian captain Barbara Banda, who ended Asisat Oshoala’s record-breaking six-year reign.
The Paris FC goalkeeper played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s qualification for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence, beating South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi to retain her crown.
The Super Falcons’ recognition as Africa’s best women’s team capped a successful year in which they maintained their position as the continent’s top-ranked side according to FIFA’s rankings. Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau, who received the award, dedicated it to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
However, the Super Eagles missed out on the Men’s Team of the Year award, which went to AFCON champions Ivory Coast, with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana also nominated.
In other categories, Egypt’s Al Ahly was named Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe of DR Congo claimed the Women’s Club of the Year award ahead of Nigeria’s Edo Queens.
Senegal’s Lamine Camara retained the Men’s Young Player of the Year award, while Egypt’s Doha El Madani won the women’s category, defeating Nigeria’s Chiamaka Okwuchukwu. South Africa’s Ronwen Williams completed a double by claiming the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, adding to his Interclub Player of the Year award. Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy won the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year.
Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae was named Men’s Coach of the Year following the Elephants’ AFCON triumph, with TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi winning the women’s coaching award.
Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu claimed the Goal of the Year award, rounding off the evening’s honors.
