CAF 2024 AWARDS RECAP: LOOKMAN, BANDA, NNADOZIE, AND WILLIAMS WIN TOP PRIZES

The CAF 2024 Awards was held last night in Marrakesh, Morocco. It was an unforgettable night as exceptional performers were honored and celebrated. 

CAF Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

Ademola Lookman capped off a memorable 2023/2024 with the CAF Men’s Player Of The Year Award. 

Lookman had a standout 2023/2024 season. The Nigerian winger single-handedly delivered Atalanta’s maiden European title and their first major title since 1963. He netted a remarkable hattrick against tournament favourites Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, earning himself a spot in the team of the tournament. 

He impressed greatly for Nigeria at AFCON 2023, netting three goals en route to the final as the Super Eagles fell to the Elephants in the final. He finished as Nigeria’s joint-top scorer at the tournament and was included in the team of the tournament. 

Additionally, he was the only African on this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing in 14th place. 

He has been in imperious form this season, leading Atalanta’s unlikely Serie A charge. He succeeds compatriot Victor Osimhen as the winner of the prestigious award. This marks Nigeria’s first consecutive win since Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba were crowned in 1996 & 1997.

CAF Women’s Player of the Year: Barbra Banda (Zambia)

For the first time in three years, a non-Nigerian international has won the CAF Women’s Player of the year award, bringing Asisat Oshoala’s incredible dominance to an end.

Barbra Banda has been a revelation for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride, leading them to the NWSL Shield and Championship in her debut season. She was vital to the team’s successes and her goal against Washington Spirit was the difference between both teams in their title winning match. 

The 24-year-old was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NWSL as she fired her team Orlando Pride to their maiden title. She was voted ws the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, becoming the first African since Asisat Oshoala to win the award. 

Banda impressed for Zambia at Paris Olympics 2024, netting a record breaking third Olympic hattrick and four goals in total for the Copper Queens as they crashed out in the group stage, becoming the record African goalscorer at the Olympic games in the process with ten goals. 

Banda is the African continent’s pride and she became the first African to be included in the FIFPRO Women’s World XI in 2024. She was deservedly named as Africa’s best female player. 

CAF Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire)

Fae was appointed as the interim caretaker of the Ivory Coast national team during AFCON 2023 following a disappointing start to the tournament. He handled the reins from the round of 16 and he was instrumental to their incredible tournament run. He guided and oversaw Ivory Coast’s spirited comeback from the brink of elimination to eliminating defending champions Senegal in the round of 16. Subsequently, they defeated Mali, DR Congo in the knockout stages, and their run culminated in a defeat of the Nigerian Super Eagles in the final to claim the AFCON 2023 trophy in Abidjan. It was a fairytale tournament for the Ivorians 

Fae was awarded the AFCON 2023 coach of the tournament. 

CAF Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe; Moroccan)

Moroccan Coach Lamia Boumehdi has capped off an incredible season with the Women’s Coach of the year award, bringing an end to Desiree Ellis’ iconic run at the awards. 

She led Congolese side TP Mazembe to the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title, eliminating Nigeria’s Edo Queens in the semi-final and defeating Moroccan team AS FAR in the final. The final was a rematch of their group stage fixture, and they avenged their group stage loss to grab their maiden CAF Women’s Champions League title. 

She became the first woman to lead a team to the CAF Women’s Champions League title in the process. 

She also led the Congolese club to become champions of the Congolese Women’s Championship. Way to go, Lamia!

CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was an indomitable presence at the heart of South Africa’s defense during AFCON 2023. The goalie single-handedly sent Bafana Bafana to the semi-finals of AFCON 2023, spectacularly denying four penalties in their penalty shootout win against Cape Verde. His heroics allowed them to advance to their first semifinal appearance since 2000. 

Bafana Bafana’s captain played an important role as they ultimately clinched the bronze medal at AFCON 2023, where he was awarded the best goalkeeper of the tournament. 

Williams was equally as impressive for Mamelodi Sundowns, conceding a ridiculous 11 goals across 30 league appearances as they clinched a seventh consecutive league title in the South African Premiership. He became the first South African to be nominated for a Ballon d’Or award and he was named the ninth best goalkeeper in the world at the 2024 Ballon d’Or. 

It was double honours for the goalkeeper as he was also crowned the CAF Men’s Interclub Player of the Year. 

CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)

Chianaka was a standout performer for French side Paris FC, clinching the Première Ligue Goalkeeper of the Season award at the end of the 2023-24 season. She was a vital presence between the sticks as Paris FC finished third in the league 

She became the inaugural winner of the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year last year, and she has now won the award on consecutive occasions, beating the likes of Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and Andile Dlamini of South Africa to the much-coveted prize. 

CAF MEN’S CLUB OF THE YEAR: Al Ahly SC (Egypt)

The Egyptian club’s CAF Champions League win was more than enough to help them secure the Men’s Club of the Year award at the CAF 2024 Awards. 

Al-Ahly won a record-extending 12th Champions League title in the 2023/2024 season, defeating Espérance de Tunis 1–0 on aggregate in the 2024 final.

Additionally, they were crowned as Champions of the Egyptian Premier League and Egyptian Super Cup, successfully defending all three titles from their previous season’s triumphs. They were runners-up in the CAF Super Cup, falling to Zamalek SC on penalties. 

CAF WOMEN’S CLUB OF THE YEAR: TP Mazembe (DR CONGO) 

Congolese club TP Mazembe took home the Women’s Club of the Year award. They historically won the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title and the Congolese Women’s Championship in the 2023/2024 season. 

Other awards include: 

CAF WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR: 

Super Falcons of Nigeria

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN):

Côte d’Ivoire

CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN):  

Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN):

Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN):

Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN):

Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)

CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN):

Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)

CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN):

Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon)

CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN):

Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)

CAF GOAL OF THE YEAR:

Mabululu (Angola)

https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1868747146616299985?t=D5PoGC-hw3td4QMDKxpEjQ&s=19

Men’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI: 

Andre Onana (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba, Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma, Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman.

Women’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI:

Andile Dlamini (GK), Michelle Alozie, Karabo Dhlamini, Osinachi Ohale, Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Ghizlane Chebbak, Barbra Banda, Asisat Oshoala, Tabitha Chawinga.