Ademola Lookman and Barbara Banda have become African Players of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football Awards.
The announcement was made during a glittering ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrating the finest talents in African football.
Lookman is the second consecutive Nigerian to claim the award after Victor Osimhen in 2023.
The Atalanta forward had a sensational year, dazzling fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing.
Related news: Lookman, Troost-Ekong make 2024 FIFA Best Players’ Award Nominees
Lookman was instrumental in both his club’s success in Serie A and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His standout performances, including crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistent brilliance in domestic competitions, solidified his position as one of Africa’s brightest stars.
Ademola Lookman wins African Footballer of the year 2024
Lookman edged out fierce competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the coveted award.
Straightnews online reported in October that Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.
In May, Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Europa League final as Atalanta stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, dramatically halting the Bundesliga champions’ 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Speaking at the event, Lookman dedicated the award to his teammates, family, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
Lookman noted “Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world. “Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa.”
Banda wins African Women’s Player of the year 2024
Meanwhile, Barbara Banda is the African Women’s Player of the Year – 2024.
Banda’s success comes less than a month after she was voted the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
The 24-year-old was also named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as she fired her team Orlando Pride to a first title.
The striker’s 17 goals resulted in her finishing second in the scoring charts – behind only Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga – with her most crucial strike coming in the Championship final as Pride beat Washington Spirit 1-0.
Banda was also in fine form for her country at the Paris Olympics, scoring four goals for Zambia’s Copper Queens, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia.
Her 10 goals spread across two Games have made her the leading African scorer in Olympic history.
2024 CAF Awards winners
Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria & Atalanta)
Women’s Player of the Year: Barbra Banda (Zambia & Orlando Pride)
Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria & Paris FC)
Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly (Egypt)
Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco & AS Far)
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal & Monaco)
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco & AS Far)
Men’s National Team of the Year: Ivory Coast
Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Goal of the Year (voted for by fans): Cristovao Mabululu (Angola) – Angola v Namibia (Afcon 2023)
