Lookman and Banda Crowned African Players of the Year

 

Ademola Lookman and Barbra Banda Named African Players of the Year at 2024 CAF Awards

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards in Marrakesh, beating out competition from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Lookman’s win marks the second consecutive year a Nigerian player has claimed the award, following Victor Osimhen’s triumph in 2023.

Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda made history as the first Zambian to win the Women’s Player of the Year award, finishing ahead of Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Lookman’s Stellar Year

Lookman, 27, had a standout 2023-24 season, playing a key role in Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy win with a memorable hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. He was named in the Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament after scoring three goals to help Nigeria finish as runners-up. Additionally, Lookman was the only African player on the 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing 14th. He has continued his fine form this season, scoring eight goals in Serie A.

Banda’s Remarkable Success

Banda, 24, continued her remarkable year by winning back-to-back major awards. She was named the 2024 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and the MVP of the NWSL after leading Orlando Pride to their first title with 17 goals. Banda also excelled for Zambia at the Paris Olympics, scoring four goals, including a hat-trick against Australia, and becoming the leading African scorer in Olympic history.

Other Notable Winners

In addition to the major player awards, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams took home two trophies, being named both the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year. Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae was recognized as the Men’s Coach of the Year, while TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi earned the Women’s Coach of the Year accolade.

Full List of 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: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola) – Angola v Namibia (Afcon 2023)

The event in Marrakesh featured performances by top African artists like Diamond Platnumz and Dystinct, and honored Cameroon’s President Paul Biya with an Outstanding Achievement Award.