By Sola Ojewusi
Marrakech, Morocco – December 16, 2024
Nigeria’s Ademọla Lookman was crowned the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year in a dazzling ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco. The prestigious award was handed to Lookman by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe, marking a momentous milestone for Nigerian football and Lookman’s illustrious career.
Lookman triumphed over fierce competition, beating Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s star goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. His outstanding performances for Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he led the Super Eagles to the final, combined with his stellar club season in Europe, made him the deserved winner.
The Nigerian star’s crowning moment was shared with his proud parents and sister, who were present at the ceremony in Marrakech. The emotional embrace with his family underscored the significance of the achievement. “This is for my family, my teammates, and every Nigerian who believed in me,” Lookman said in his acceptance speech. “I hope this inspires young African boys and girls to dream big.”
It was an extraordinary night for Nigerian football, as the Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year, recognizing their consistent dominance on the African stage. Adding to Nigeria’s pride, Chiamaka Nnadozie was awarded Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for her heroic performances both domestically and internationally.
The star-studded event celebrated excellence across African football, with winners across several key categories:
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal) – winning the award for the second consecutive year.
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco).
Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC (Egypt).
Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (Congo).
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa), who also took home Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco).
Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire).
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe).
Goal of the Year: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola).
Female Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
The ceremony brought together football dignitaries, former legends, and fans from across the globe, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino praising Lookman as “a role model for future generations,” while CAF President Patrice Motsepe added, “Lookman’s success is a testament to the talent and promise of African football.”
Across Nigeria, celebrations erupted as fans took to social media and the streets to celebrate Lookman’s historic achievement. Prominent voices in sports, politics, and entertainment lauded his victory, calling it a “moment of pride for Nigeria.”
As the curtain fell on a memorable night in Marrakech, Ademọla Lookman’s triumph stood as a symbol of excellence, dedication, and inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. His success, along with Nigeria’s collective achievements, reinforced the country’s stature as a powerhouse in African football.
