The wait is over as the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony takes center stage tonight in Marrakesh, Morocco. Football fans across Africa are set to witness the crowning of the continent’s best players, coaches, teams, and clubs.
At least 15 awards will be handed out at the prestigious Palais des Congrès, with dignitaries, legends, and football enthusiasts in attendance. Despite missing some familiar names like Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala. Nigeria is still in contention for multiple awards, thanks to impressive performances across various categories.
Lookman for the Men’s Best Player Prize
Ademola Lookman is a hot favorite for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award. The 27-year-old enjoyed a stellar year, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists for Atalanta, including a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman also shone for Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON, helping the Super Eagles reach the final. This season, he has already racked up 13 goals and five assists, underlining his consistency.
Nnadozie Targets Women’s Player and Goalkeeper Prizes
Chiamaka Nnadozie has a shot at making history as the first goalkeeper to win the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. The Super Falcons‘ first-choice keeper had an exceptional year, earning the Goalkeeper of the Season title in the 2023/24 French league, where she helped Paris FC finish third.
On the international stage, Nnadozie stood tall for Nigeria at the 2024 Olympics, despite the Falcons’ early exit. She will go head-to-head with Zambia’s Barbara Banda and Morocco’s Sanna Mssoudy for the Women’s Player of the Year honor.
In the goalkeeper category, Nnadozie looks poised to retain her crown as Africa’s best, having won the inaugural award in 2023.
Okwuchukwu in the Running for Women’s Young Player
Nineteen-year-old Chiamaka Okwuchukwu is up for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award after a standout performance at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Okwuchukwu scored two goals and provided an assist as Nigeria’s Falconets progressed from a challenging group featuring Germany, Korea, and Venezuela. While the team’s run e nded in the second round against Japan, Okwuchukwu’s performances left a lasting impression.
She faces competition from Habiba Sabry of Egypt and Morocco’s Doha El Madani.
Super Eagles Vying for Men’s National Team of the Year
The Nigerian Super Eagles are nominated for the Men’s National Team of the Year after their silver-medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
The team defied expectations, overcoming early group stage struggles to deliver one of Nigeria’s best AFCON campaigns in years. They defeated Cameroon in the second round, edged Angola in the quarters, and beat South Africa in the semis before losing to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final.
The Elephants and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are also in contention for this award.
Super Falcons Compete for Women’s National Team of the Year
The Super Falcons are up for Women’s National Team of the Year after qualifying for the women’s football event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They secured their spot with a dominant 7-1 aggregate win over Cape Verde.
Although the Falcons faced tough competition in the Olympics, losing all three group games to Spain, Brazil, and Japan, their qualification was a testament to their resilience.
Edo Queens Eye Women’s Club of the Year
Edo Queens made history during their debut campaign in the CAF Women’s Champions League. They became the first Nigerian team to progress beyond the group stage, securing a dramatic win over Mamelodi Sundowns in their final group match.
Although their journey ended in the semi-finals against TP Mazembe, and they lost the third-place match to FC Masar, the Queens’ impressive run has cemented their place as one of Africa’s rising clubs.
The Stage is Set
As the 2024 CAF Awards kick off at 7 pm, all eyes will be on Marrakesh to see if Nigeria can add to its proud football legacy. Can Lookman, Nnadozie, and the Super Eagles deliver? The stage is set, and the countdown begins!
