Nigerian football fans have reasons to cheer as their stars dominate the final shortlist for the CAF Awards 2024. Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Eagles, and Super Falcons are all in contention for top honors, showcasing Nigeria’s footballing prowess on the African stage.
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, is vying for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year. The forward made headlines last season, scoring a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final, which his club won. His performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria finished as runners-up, also earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament. He faces competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
Nnadozie, the standout goalkeeper for Paris FC, is on track for double honors. She aims to retain her title as Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year while competing for the Women’s Player of the Year award. She’s up against Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Babra Banda, highlighting a fiercely competitive field.
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Nigeria’s national teams have also made waves. The Super Eagles, finalists in the last AFCON and already qualified for the 2025 tournament, are shortlisted for Male Team of the Year. They face stiff competition from Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa. Meanwhile, the Super Falcons are contenders for Women’s Team of the Year, alongside Morocco and South Africa.
Rising star Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, who dazzled for Nigeria’s Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s Cup, is nominated for Women’s Young Player of the Year. Her stellar performance included two goals and an assist, despite Nigeria’s round-of-16 exit.
Edo Queens, one of Nigeria’s premier women’s clubs, made the shortlist for Women’s Club of the Year. They are up against Morocco’s Asfar and DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.
The CAF Awards ceremony will take place on Monday in Marrakesh, Morocco. With reigning Men’s Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala both Nigerian, the country could extend its dominance in African football.
