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Ademola Lookman and Barbra Banda won big at CAF Awards bagging the Men and Female Player of the Year respectively in a ceremony held in Morocco on Monday evening.
Having won the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League with excellent performances for Atalanta and Nigeria National Team, Super Eagles’ Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman was named the Men’s CAF Player of the Year 2024.
Lookman with his Accolade.
The 27 year old beat off competition from 2023 Young AFCON winner Simon Adingra, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
However very few people would ask why he won the Awards after watching the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League Final this year against Bayer Leverkusen where he netted a hattrick.
Lookman with his 2023/24 UEFA Europa Cup Final trophy and ball plus medal.
Lookman is still currently the driving force behind Atalanta’s consistent showing in the 2024/25 season.
Head Coach Gian Paolo Gasperini was a knack for bringing out the best in his attackers, and Lookman has repaid that faith with 8 goals and 4 assists in 13 Serie A appearances so far.
It’s safe to say that the diminutive forward has been a nightmare for defenders across Italy.
What sets Lookman apart was his ability to score a variety of goals.
Whether it’s a poached finish in the 6-yard box, a long-range screamer, or a coolly converted penalty under pressure, he consistently delivers in the crucial moments.
His performances have propelled Atalanta into the top spot of Serie A, making them serious contenders for the Scudetto.
On country level, Lookman helped Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup Nations scoring 3 goals.
Lookman celebrating goal in Nigeria colours.
With all these achievements were so crucial and helped him win the Awards and thus being named in the AFCON XI.
Men’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI
Andre Onana (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba, Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma, Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman.
In the women category, Zambia’s Barbra Banda picked up the women’s award becoming the first women from her country to win the prize.
Banda in the middle with her accolade.
Banda scored four goals for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a hat-trick in a group-stage loss to Australia.
Banda in Zambia colours.
The striker scored 13 regular season goals and four in play-offs for American team, Orlando Pride, helping it to win the US National Women’s Soccer League for the first time.
Barbra Banda (22) lifting the trophy with her Orlando Pride teammates.
Women’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI
Andile Dlamini (GK),Michelle Alozie, Karabo Dhlamini, Osinachi Ohale, Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Ghizlane Chebbak, Barbra Banda, Asisat Oshoala, Tabitha Chawinga.
The Full list of winners on the night;
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ronwen Williams after winning his best CAF goal keeper of the year.
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Cote d’Ivoire
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Nigeria
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Al Ahly (Egypt)
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
- Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
- Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
CAF GOAL OF THE YEAR
- Mabululu (Angola)
