CAF Awards 2024: Nigeria’s Stars and Teams Shine on Prestigious Final Lists
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final nominees for the highly anticipated 2024 CAF Awards, and Nigeria’s footballers and national teams are well-represented in several categories.
Ademola Lookman: A Star Among Giants
Ademola Lookman, the 27-year-old Super Eagles forward, has earned a place in the final shortlist for the coveted Men’s Player of the Year award. This recognition is a testament to his remarkable performances on both the continental and European stages.
Lookman’s stellar display at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was a key highlight of his year. He netted three goals and provided an assist in seven appearances, driving the Super Eagles to an impressive second-place finish in the tournament. Beyond AFCON, Lookman made history at the club level, scoring a sensational hat-trick for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final—a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s elite players.
He will face stiff competition from other top talents, including:
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton & Hove Albion)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/VfB Stuttgart)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
A Miss for Nwabali in the Goalkeeper Category
While Lookman basks in the spotlight, compatriot Stanley Nwabali missed out on the final shortlist for the Goalkeeper of the Year category. The nominees for this award include:
Andre Onana (Cameroon/Manchester United), who remains a commanding figure between the posts.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), whose performances have been pivotal for both club and country.
Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast/Angers SCO), a rising star who has impressed in Ligue 1.
Nnadozie Leads Super Falcons’ Charge
On the women’s side, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been shortlisted for the Women’s Player of the Year award. Her inclusion reflects her growing stature as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers, with her exceptional performances standing out in Nigeria’s international campaigns.
Nnadozie is up against two formidable competitors:
Barbara Banda (Zambia), a prolific forward whose goal-scoring exploits have made headlines.
Sanna Mssoudy (Morocco), whose creativity and leadership have been instrumental for the Atlas Lionesses.
National Teams in the Spotlight
Both Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national teams have earned nominations for the National Team of the Year categories, showcasing the country’s footballing prowess across genders.
Super Eagles: Their commendable run to the 2023 AFCON final has earned them a spot among Africa’s top teams. They face competition from African champions Ivory Coast and the ever-improving Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Super Falcons: As perennial powerhouses of African women’s football, they join Banyana Banyana (South Africa) and Atlas Lionesses (Morocco) in the race for the title.
Nigeria’s Rise on the Global Stage
The CAF Awards serve as a celebration of Africa’s best talents, and Nigeria’s strong representation this year underscores the nation’s enduring football legacy. Ademola Lookman’s meteoric rise, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s resilience, and the Super Eagles and Super Falcons’ consistent performances are all evidence of Nigeria’s growing influence in African and global football.
The winners will be revealed in a glittering ceremony, and all eyes will be on these Nigerian stars as they aim to bring glory to their nation.
