Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie are on the verge of learning their fate as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announces the final three nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards on Thursday, December 12, Soccernet.ng reports.
The prestigious ceremony, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, will celebrate the finest African footballers, coaches, and administrators over the past year, covering performances from January to October 2024.
Lookman, who dazzled for Atalanta in Serie A and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, is among five players shortlisted for the Men’s Player of the Year award.
The Nigerian winger has enjoyed a stellar year, winning the Europa League with Atalanta in May and securing a silver medal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His 11th goal of the season, netted against Real Madrid in the Champions League, further cements his status as a frontrunner.
He faces competition from Brighton’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
On the women’s side, Nnadozie, the reigning Africa Goalkeeper of the Year, is in contention to retain her title while also vying for Women’s Player of the Year. She is up against Zambia’s prolific Barbra Banda, Malawi’s Chawinga sisters, and Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy.
Player of the Year (Men)
- Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Player of the Year (Women)
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
- Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
- Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)