Lookman and Banda proud to top African footballers of the year
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Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian striker for Atalanta, was named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year at the prestigious Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, held in Marrakesh on Monday evening. The 27-year-old received the honor after a stellar year on both the club and international fronts.
During his acceptance speech, Lookman expressed his heartfelt gratitude, beginning with thanks to God for the blessings in his life. He also acknowledged the support of his teammates at both club and national levels, including the president, who played a role in his achievements. Lookman emphasized the significance of the award not only for him but also for his family and country, stating, “This award is a blessing for me, my family, and my country. Being recognized as Africa’s best player is truly incredible. I am extremely proud.”
Lookman triumphed in a competitive field, overcoming several notable players, including Ivorian Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. His remarkable performances for Atalanta throughout 2024 made him the standout choice, capping off a memorable year in which he was particularly influential in the Europa League. One of his most significant achievements came when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in May, which helped his side claim a dominant victory.
This victory marks another milestone for Nigeria in African football. Lookman is the second consecutive Nigerian player to win the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Victor Osimhen, who claimed the title in 2023 while playing for Napoli. The last time Nigeria had back-to-back winners was in 1996 and 1997, with Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba taking the honors, respectively. Lookman’s achievement further underscores the growing footballing talent emerging from Nigeria.
Born and raised in south London, Lookman has had an eventful career in European football. He has played for a number of top clubs, including Everton, RB Leipzig, Leicester City, and Fulham, before settling at Atalanta. In addition to his success with the club, Lookman was part of Nigeria’s squad at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where they finished as runners-up to the Ivory Coast. He was also the sole African nominee for this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, finishing in 14th place, further cementing his status as one of the continent’s elite footballers.
In the women’s category, Barbra Banda from Zambia claimed the 2024 African Women’s Footballer of the Year award. Banda’s victory was historic, making her the first Zambian to win the honor. She was awarded for her pivotal role in Orlando Pride’s NWSL Championship victory, where she scored the decisive goal in the final against Washington Spirit. Banda defeated stiff competition from Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie to claim the prestigious title.
In her acceptance speech, Banda expressed her heartfelt thanks to her coaches, teammates, the president of the Zambian Football Federation, and her family for their unwavering support throughout her career. “I want to thank my coaches, teammates, the president of the federation, my mother, my family, and all my fans who have stood by me through thick and thin,” she said.
The winners of both the men’s and women’s awards are selected through a comprehensive voting process by a panel of experts, which includes CAF’s technical committee, players, coaches, and African media professionals. This panel evaluates players’ performances over the course of the year, considering their contributions to both club and national team success.
Lookman and Banda’s triumphs highlight the rising talents in African football, not only in men’s competitions but also in women’s football. Their victories serve as an inspiration to aspiring footballers across the continent, underscoring the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dedication to achieving greatness. The recognition of these players at the CAF Awards also emphasizes the growing influence of African football on the global stage.
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