Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been named the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Player of the Year for 2024. The announcement was made during a star-studded ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday night.
The 27-year-old Atalanta forward outshone Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious title.
A Historic Win for Lookman
Lookman’s triumph adds his name to Nigeria’s elite roster of past winners, joining the likes of Victor Osimhen, who won the award in 2023. His exceptional performances for both club and country made him a clear favorite this year.
For Atalanta, Lookman delivered a show-stopping hat-trick in the Europa League final, solidifying his position as one of Europe’s most formidable forwards. On the international stage, he was pivotal to the Super Eagles’ runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three vital goals during the tournament.
Further cementing his place among football’s elite, Lookman was the only African on the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing an impressive 14th overall.
Barbra Banda Makes History for Zambia
In the women’s category, Zambia’s Barbra Banda made history as the first Zambian to win the award. Banda’s extraordinary year included scoring four goals for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighted by a remarkable hat-trick against Australia during the group stage.
Banda also shone at the club level, scoring 13 regular-season goals and four in the playoffs to lead the Orlando Pride to its first-ever US National Women’s Soccer League title.
Celebrating African Excellence
The 2024 CAF Awards once again highlighted the immense talent across the continent, with Lookman and Banda’s victories showcasing the impact of African players on the global stage. Their achievements inspire a new generation of footballers and reaffirm Africa’s growing influence in world football.