Nigerian football ace, Lookman become’s king of African football, Zambia’s Barbra is the new Queen
The 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday shone a spotlight on Africa’s top performers over the past 12 months, honouring those who made an outstanding contribution to the game.
It was a glittering evening full of stars, a celebration of the passion and vibrancy of African football, and a chance to assess the great strides football on the continent has made in the recent past.
Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year after helping his country to the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, and Italian club Atalanta to the UEFA Europa League title.
He admits it was a year of ups and downs, and says it was the difficult moments in 2024 that made him stronger.
Zambia striker Barbra Banda was named CAF Women’s Player of the Year after helping Orlando Pride to the National Women’s Soccer League Shield and Championship in 2024 and a stunning performance for the Copper Queens at the Paris Olympic Games.
She reveals the secret to her success and how the disappointment of missing out previously fueled her bid for this year’s award.
South Africa captain Ronwen Williams was named CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and CAF Interclub Player of the Year, the only individual on the night to win multiple awards on the night.
The Mamelodi Sundowns gloveman gave a stunning performance at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, where his penalty saves in several shootouts took South Africa to the bronze medals.
Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second successive year after her exploits with Paris FC in France and the Nigeria national team.
She continues to be among the safest hands on the African continent and says of her award: “When you win something for the first time it can be luck. When you win for the second time you deserve it.”
