Following a sensational 12 months, Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman was on Monday night in Morocco named CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
Lookman follows in the footsteps of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who won the award in 2023. It is the first time Nigeria has had back-to-back winners in the Men’s award since Nwankwo Kanu (1996) and Victor Ikpeba (1997) were honoured almost three decades ago.
The 27-year-old played a crucial role in advancing the Super Eagles to the runner-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year. He was key to Italian side Atalanta FC winning the UEFA Europa Cup last season, and this year, has scored 11 goals and notched five assists for the same club in 18 games across all competitions.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was also crowned the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the CAF Awards for the second year in a row.
Zambia striker Barbra Banda won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year, while South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won a double – winning the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year awards.
