The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has thrown its weight behind Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie as they contend for top honors at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, set to take place tonight in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Lookman and Nnadozie are leading Nigeria’s quest for success, with the nation vying for recognition in seven categories at this year’s ceremony.
Lookman Eyes Men’s Player of the Year
Lookman is among five finalists for the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year award. The 27-year-old Atalanta star faces stiff competition from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
The NFF has expressed unwavering confidence in Lookman’s chances. In a statement on Sunday titled, “2024 CAF Awards: Lookman is the man, whichever way you look at it!” NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire highlighted Lookman’s standout achievements.
“All things being equal, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman should be crowned the African Player of The Year,” Olajire wrote. “None of the other nominees comes close. Lookman’s glittering record with Atalanta and his pivotal role in Nigeria’s AFCON campaign set him apart.”
Nnadozie Chases Double Honors
Meanwhile, Chiamaka Nnadozie is in contention for two major awards: Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. The Paris FC goalkeeper is up against Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Babra Banda for the Women’s Player of the Year honor.
Nnadozie is a strong favorite for a second consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year win, following a stellar year that saw her help Nigeria secure a return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years. Her performances also earned rave reviews in France, where she has been instrumental for Paris FC.
Victories for Lookman and Nnadozie would mark the third time Nigeria has claimed both top categories, following Nwankwo Kanu and Mercy Akide-Udoh in 1999, and Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in 2023.
Lookman’s credentials include three goals and two assists that propelled Nigeria to the AFCON final in February and a hat-trick for Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in May. This season, he has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 18 appearances for Atalanta while also netting twice for Nigeria in their AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Super Falcons are both nominated for National Team of the Year. The Super Eagles are up against Ivory Coast and South Africa, while the Super Falcons face Morocco and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.
Additionally, Falconets and Rivers Angels forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu is a finalist for Women’s Young Player of the Year, alongside Habiba Sabry of FC Masar and Doha El Madani of AS FAR.
Defending Nigeria Women Football League champions Edo Queens are also nominated for Women’s Club of the Year, competing against African Women’s Champions League winners TP Mazembe and Morocco’s AS FAR.
As the awards ceremony unfolds, all eyes will be on Marrakesh to see if Nigeria can replicate its historic success on the CAF Awards stage.
