CAF Awards 2024: Who succeeds Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala?

Olopade Storms Morocco ‘To Celebrate’ With Lookman, Nnadozie, Others

All eyes will be on the Palais des Congres in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveils winners for the 2024 awards.

The awards, which cover the period from January to October 2024, recognise the stellar performances of players, coaches, and teams across the continent. The event is scheduled for 19:00 p.m. local time (18:00 p.m. GMT), and will among things, produce a new football king in the continent to replace Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who is not included on the list this year.

His fellow Super Eagles striker, Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy is highly favoured to win the crown following his superlative performance for club and country this year. Lookman was confirmed among the final players shortlisted by CAF for the Award .

The 27-year-old shone at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals and registering one assist in seven appearances, as the Super Eagles lost to the host country Cote d’Ivoire in the finalLookman also scored a historic hat-trick for Atalanta in the final of the UEFA Europa League. The men’s category is locked in a tight race between Lookman and four other contenders, including Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. His compatriot, Stanley Nwabali, was left out of the final shortlist for Goalkeeper of the Year category, leaving Andre Onana (Cameroon/Manchester United), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) and Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire/Angers SCO) for the stoppers award.

Like Osimhen, Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, who claimed the coveted Women’s Player of the Year title last year, is not listed to defend her crown this time. A new wave of stars, including Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, have been lined up for the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year.

Nnadozie will be gunning for two honours as she is in the mix for the Women’s Player of The Year award along with Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Babra Banda. The Paris FC shot-stopper is also a favourite for a back-to-back win in the Women’s Goalkeeper of The Year category.

The Super Eagles and Super Falcons have been nominated for the 2024 CAF Men’s and Women’s National Team of the Year. African champions, Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and Bafana Bafana of South Africa are also nominated for the Men’s National Team of the Year .

Banyana Banyana of South Africa and Atlas Lionesses of Morocco are the other teams in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year. Edo Queens is among the clubs shortlisted for the Women’s Club of the Year Award.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade says he will be in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday ‘to celebrate’ with two Nigerian footballers, Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.

“I got the invite from CAF, and I am looking forward to be in Morocco to celebrate with Lookman and Nnadozie,” Olopade told The Guardian. “Lookman has done so well this year for both country and club to deserve the award. I am optimistic he will win. I am also looking forward to celebrate with Nnadozie with the African Women Footballer award.”