Ademola Lookman, a 27-year-old Nigerian forward for Atalanta, has been named the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year. He is the seventh Nigerian to receive this honour, following Victor Osimhen. Lookman’s standout year included 22 goals, including a hat-trick in the Europa League final, which earned Atalanta its first continental title. He also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON final.
Ademola Lookman’s exceptional form has carried over into the current season, with eight league goals driving Atalanta to the top of Serie A. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding accomplishments. Lookman edged out fierce competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the coveted award. However, Lookman was not the only Nigerian winner, the Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year, following their impressive performances, particularly at the Paris Olympics, where they narrowly lost to England in a penalty shootout.
Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second time. She expressed gratitude to the CAF president, NFF, her club Paris FC for their support, and Kazeem Eletu, her adopted father, for helping her achieve success.
Nigeria secured six CAF/FIFPro Best 11 nominations. Four Nigerian women were nominated: Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Asisat Oshoala. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman received nominations for the men’s team.
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. Mr 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.
