Ademola Lookman leads Nigeria’s charge at 2024 CAF Awards

On Monday, Ademola Lookman will spearhead Nigeria’s pursuit of accolades at the prestigious CAF Awards in the enchanting city of Marrakech, Morocco.

The Atalanta forward is regarded as the frontrunner for the CAF Player of the Year 2024 after a sensational year, highlighted by his pivotal role in winning the Europa League.

Last year, Nigerians Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala claimed the men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards, respectively. This year, Lookman stands poised to continue Nigeria’s dominance on the continental stage.

Fierce Competition for the Men’s Prize

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in unveiling the final shortlist for the men’s award, acknowledged the difficulty in narrowing the contenders to just three.

Lookman will compete against South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi for Africa’s top individual honor.

Despite the strong competition, the Atalanta star is tipped to succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen as Africa’s best. His statistics speak volumes: during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, Lookman was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the final, scoring three goals and providing two assists across seven games.

His standout performances included a brace against Cameroon in the Round of 16 and a match-winning strike in the quarterfinal against Angola.

These contributions earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament, marking a significant milestone two years after his allegiance switch from England to Nigeria.

Lookman’s exploits extended beyond AFCON. In the Europa League final, he delivered a historic hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen, ending the German side’s unbeaten season and securing Atalanta’s second major trophy since 1963.

Club and Country Excellence

This season, the winger has maintained his stellar form, amassing 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta. Lookman was crucial in securing Nigeria’s qualification for AFCON 2025 on the international stage, contributing two goals in a campaign marred by controversial disallowed strikes.

Notably, Lookman was the only African player on the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing an impressive 14th, a testament to his global impact.

Nigerian Women in the Spotlight

Lookman is not Nigeria’s sole hope for honors in Morocco. In the women’s category, Chiamaka Nnadozie aims to reclaim the Player of the Year award, won six times by Asisat Oshoala, for her country. The Paris FC goalkeeper played a pivotal role in ending Nigeria’s 16-year Olympic drought, guiding the team to qualification.

Nnadozie is also a strong contender to retain the Goalkeeper of the Year title, competing against South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Meanwhile, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, another rising star, is in the running for the Young Player of the Year (women) award. The Falconet’s standout performances helped Nigeria reach the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals in Colombia and the final of the Africa Games.

Team and Club Honors

Nigeria’s national teams are also vying for recognition. The Super Eagles and Super Falcons have been nominated for the Men’s and Women’s Teams of the Year, respectively. The Super Eagles face competition from South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire, while the Falcons are up against Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, and Cameroon’s U-20 side.

On the club front, Edo Queens’ remarkable debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League, where they reached the semi-finals, earned them a nomination for Women’s Club of the Year.

Anticipation Builds for the 2024 CAF Awards

As the football world turns its attention to Marrakech, all eyes will be on Ademola Lookman to deliver yet another moment of pride for Nigeria. With his extraordinary achievements for both club and country, the Atalanta star is poised to etch his name among the greats of African football.

Writing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade