Nigeria’s star, Ademola Lookman, was on Monday night crowned the Men’s CAF African Player of the Year.
The Atalanta winger became the man of the moment at the 2024 CAF Awards set to take place at the Palais des congrès de Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or beat Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/ Paris Saint-Germain) to the prestigious Men’s POTY award won by compatriot Victor Osimhen last year.
“E kale, mo ki yin, Ese mo dupe. [Good evening, I greet you all, thank you, I’m grateful]. This award is a blessing to me and my family, I’m extremely proud of this achievement. God bless,” the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) silver medallist who was clad in green-coloured ‘agbada’ said before he received his award which was jointly presented by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Dr Patrice Motsepe and the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
Also, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie remains the best women’s goalkeeper in Africa.
The Paris FC goaltender retained the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards, held in Morocco.
The Super Falcons’ number-one goalkeeper beat Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini to the award.
She was crowned the best keeper following her outstanding achievements at both club and national team level.
Nnadozie, who featured at the Paris 2024 Olympics, thanked the CAF and the Nigeria Football Federation presidents for their contributions to the growth of women’s football in Africa.
“Last year I was here, and I am here again today and grateful to God. I want to say big thank you to the CAF President and the Nigeria Football President for the work done for women’s football.
“Thanks to my club, Paris FC, who have invested a lot in me. Also, to my coaches and teammates who all made this happen. Of course, to my family and friends who have supported me from day one,” Nnadozie was quoted as saying by www.cafonline.com.
However, Nnadozie missed out on the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.
The Nigerian Amazon and Morocco forward Sanaa Mssoudy finished as runners-up to Zambia striker Barbra Banda.
It was another celebration for Nigeria on the night as the Super Falcons picked up the CAF National Team of the Year for Women.
Nigeria beat Morocco and South Africa to the prestigious prize.
Recall that nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons, also won the same award last year.
Another Nigerian star, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, missed out on the CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year.
The Falconets striker and Egypt’s Habiba Sabry finished as runners-up to Morocco’s Doha El Madani.
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