Nigerian Duo Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie Reacts To WINNING Big At The 2024 CAF Awards.

 The celebrations of the CAF Awards 2024 which was held in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, saw Ademola Lookman being conferred with the Men’s Player of the Year award (more commonly referred to as the "African Ballon d'Or") by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Lookman saw off competition from Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and South Africa's Ronwen Williams for the gong.

The winners are voted for by a panel of experts which includes members of Caf's technical committee plus African media professionals, players and coaches.

The Atalanta and Nigeria Super Eagles star lifted the outstanding individual international award on his first nomination. He had earlier finished in 14th place in the 2024 France Football Ballon d'Or award ranking in October, he was the only African on the shortlist.

Lookman had a very stellar performances this year, as he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Ivory Coast, scoring three goals as the Super Eagles finished as runners-up to the hosts in February.

The former Everton, Fulham and Leicester City player was instrumental in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa Cup triumph. 

The 27-year-old helped his Italian club win their first European trophy in history, netting a memorable hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final, making him the sixth player to score three goals in a European club final and the first since 1975, capping off an unforgettable season.

This season alone, Lookman has continued his remarkable form, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta. Among his standout moments is a crucial goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

He has scored eight goals in Serie A this season to help his team go top of the table.

On the international stage, Lookman scored twice to help Nigeria secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON.

It was a back-to-back win for Nigeria with Lookman becoming the second consecutive Nigerian to claim the award after Victor Osimhen in 2023.

Lookman's win on Monday night moved Nigeria to second place in the all-time standings for Men’s Player of the Year titles, surpassing Ivory Coast. 

Previous Nigerian winners include; Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023). Ivory Coast’s six titles have been claimed by Yaya Touré (four) and Didier Drogba (two).

During his acceptance speech, Lookman wished to acknowledge everyone who supported and stood by him every step of the journey: "Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world, fast forward to four years I am the best player in Africa. I want to say to the young children and people watching this: don't let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings, but in fact, turn your pain into your power and continue to fly".

Another Nigerian to win the 2024 CAF awards is Super Falcons and Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie who was crowned the best goalkeeper in the women’s category.

The 24-year-old acrobatic shot-stopper was shortlisted alongside Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR) as well as Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).

This is the second year in a row that Nnadozie wins the award.

Nnadozie represented Nigeria at the Paris Olympic Games and will be key for the Super Falcons in next year’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers.

The Super Falcons’ number one thanked the CAF and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Presidents for their contribution to growing the women’s game in Africa.

“Last year I was here and I am here again today and grateful to God,” Nnadozie said. “I want to say big thank you to the CAF President and Nigerian Football President for the work done for women’s football.”

“Also thank you to my club Par who have invested a lot in me. Also, to my coaches and teammates who all made this happen. Of course, to my family and friends who have supported me from day one.”

On Other Award Categories, Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda made history as the first Zambian to win the women's prize, finishing ahead of Moroccan Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Banda was instrumental for Orlando Pride winning November's NWSL Championship final 1-0 against Washington Spirit.

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.

She scored 17 goals which resulted in her finishing second in the scoring charts - behind only Malawi's Temwa Chawinga.

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.

On a star-studded night in Marrakesh, it was also revealed who made the Caf/Fifpro men's, and women's, Best XI line-ups.

Full List Of The 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).