Lookman, Nnadozie, Falcons emerge Africa’s bests at CAF Awards

As expected, Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, who almost single-handedly won the 2023/24 Europa League for Italian side, Atalanta, was yesterday in Marrakech, Morocco, crowned African Footballer of the year.

The Nigerian, whose three goals contributed to Super Eagles’ march to the final game of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, replaces his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, who won the crown last year.

Before yesterday’s crowning witnessed by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe and other top global football icons, there were rumours of a leaked report that showed Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi as the winner of the title.

But such reports were rubbished by Infantino, who got the honour from Motsepe to announce Lookman as the winner of the title.

Nigeria also excelled in other categories of the awards, with the Super Falcons retaining the Best African Team of the Year (women) award, just as goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, once again, took the women’s best goalkeeper of the year award.

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

“Last year I was here, and I am here again today and grateful to God. 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, Paris FC, 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,” said Nnadozie.

Earlier after accepting the Best Team award gong on behalf of the Super Falcons, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, who promised to continue working to keep the Super Falcons on top of African football, dedicated the award to First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, “who has been supporting women football and the Super Falcons to attain great heights.”

In other categories, Cote d’Ivoire, which won the 2023 African Cup of Nations that it hosted in January and February this year, was declared the Best Men’s Team of the Year.

Interestingly, Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong, who was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 African Cup of Nations, was a conspicuous absentee in the CAF FIFPro BEST XI.

Two Nigerian players, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, however, made the list, which also had Andre Onana, Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba, Mohamed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma and Mohamed Salah.

Zambia’s Barbara Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride in the United States’ women’s league, beat Chiamaka Nnadozie to the African Woman Footballer of The Year Award.

In the women’s version of the Africa’s Best X1 are Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie. Again, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who some minutes earlier was declared as CAF’s Goalkeeper of the Year, was not included in the team.

Her place was taken by South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, who was joined by her compatriots, defender Karabo Dhlamini, midfielder Lebogang Ramalepe, and forward Linda Motlhalo in the squad.

Other players named in the team included Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga.

The CAF Awards recognise and celebrate the best players across the continent for their performances during the calendar year.

In appreciation of some politicians contributions to football growth, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, presented the inaugural CAF Award of Excellence to two African Head of States, including President Abdel Farrah el-Sisi of Egypt and Cameroon’s President Paul Biya.