By Kuku Oreoluwa
The CAF Awards is an annual evening event that honours the best African football players, coaches, and teams. The awards ceremony was first held in 1992, but the inaugural event took place in 2000. This year’s CAF Awards took place on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco. The ceremony was a star-studded event that celebrated the best of African football.
Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, had an incredible year, scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final and helping his team win the title. His impressive performances earned him the top spot, dethroning Victor Osimhen as Africa’s best. In his acceptance speech, Lookman gave a heartfelt thank you to his family and Nigeria, dedicating the award to them. His win was met with congratulatory messages from President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi.
The women’s category saw Barbra Banda, the Zambian striker, take home the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride, had a stellar season, scoring 13 goals in 21 matches and leading her team to a domestic double.
Ronwen Williams, the South African goalkeeper, also had a big night, winning the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Williams, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, had an outstanding season, helping his team win several titles.
The best female goalkeeper award at the CAF Awards went to Chiamaka Nnadozie, the talented Super Falcons goalkeeper from Nigeria. She had an impressive year, showcasing her skills both at the club and international levels. Nnadozie plays for Paris FC and has been a key player for the Super Falcons. This award is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
The best teams for the 2024 CAF Awards are Côte d’Ivoire for the Men’s National Team of the Year and Nigeria for the Women’s National Team of the Year. In the club category, Al Ahly from Egypt took home the Men’s Club of the Year award, while TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo won the Women’s Club of the Year award.
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony was a night to remember, celebrating the best of African football and honouring the outstanding achievements of its stars.
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