By : Lloyd Mahachi
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been crowned the Confederation of African Football’s Player of the Year for 2024. The award was presented at a ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, beat out competition from several other top African players to claim the prestigious title.
The other nominees for the award included Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivorian Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Ronwen Williams from South Africa. Lookman’s win is a testament to his outstanding performance on the field, both for his club and for his country. He had a phenomenal season, delivering a stunning hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Lookman’s performance in the Europa League final cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite forwards. He also played a crucial role in the Super Eagles’ second-place finish in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals in the tournament. Lookman was also the only African player on this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing 14th.
Zambia’s Barbra Banda was also a big winner at the ceremony, taking home the women’s Player of the Year award. Banda made history by becoming the first woman from Zambia to win the prize. She had an impressive year, scoring four goals for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a hat-trick in a group-stage loss to Australia.
Banda also had a standout season with her American team, Orlando Pride, scoring 13 regular season goals and four in play-offs. Her performance helped Orlando Pride win the US National Women’s Soccer League for the first time. Banda’s win is a significant achievement, not just for her, but for women’s football in Zambia and across Africa.
The CAF awards ceremony was a celebration of African football talent, with many of the continent’s top players in attendance. Lookman and Banda’s wins are a testament to the hard work and dedication of African footballers, both men and women. Their achievements will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of players across the continent.
The awards also highlighted the growing importance of African football on the global stage. With many African players now starring in top European leagues, the continent’s football talent is being recognized and celebrated around the world. Lookman and Banda’s wins are a proud moment for African football, and a reminder of the continent’s rich football heritage.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi