CAF Awards: Lookman, Osimhen make Africa XI

The Super Eagles duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were the only players listed among Africa Eleven in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards in Marrakech, Morocco.

The duo was instrumental to Nigeria’s sterling performance at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire in January this year.

While Osimhen could only manage one goal in the tournament, Lookman bagged three goals in the competition. The Atalanta striker scored a brace against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the second round and scored Nigeria’s only goal against Palancas Negras of Angola in the quarter-finals.

Only three Nigerians have scored three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON edition.

Odion Ighalo scored 4 goals in Egypt 2019, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha scored 3 in Tunisia 2004, and Rashidi Yekini also scored 3 goals in Tunisia 1994.

Lookman is now the fourth Nigerian to score three goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON tournament.

The Nigerian quartet of Rashidat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Gloria Alozie and Ohale made the African Women’s XI.