By Newsmata
It was a night full of great expectations for the array of Africa’s football talents who had filed out for possible recognition and honours at the 2024 Confederation of African Football, CAF Awards held on Monday in Marrakech, Morocco. And by the time the curtains were drawn on the event which celebrated Africa’s finest football talents in a dazzling ceremony that brought together stars from across the continent and beyond, three personalities stood heads above others.
The Newsmata reports that Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, were each recognised for their exceptional contributions to the game in 2024.
Ademola Lookman was crowned CAF Men’s Player of the Year after an outstanding season with Italian Serie A side Atalanta and a series of impressive performances for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Lookman’s win marks a historic achievement for Nigerian football, as he follows compatriot Victor Osimhen, the 2023 recipient, making it the first back-to-back win for Nigerian players since Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997.
Barbra Banda took home the Women’s Player of the Year award after a record-breaking season. The Zambian striker was a force to be reckoned with, leading Orlando Pride to the NWSL Championship in the United States with a decisive goal in the final. Banda also made Olympic history in Paris, scoring her third career hat-trick, an all-time record in Olympic football. Further cementing her legacy, she became the first African player named to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11, solidifying her place among the global greats.
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams shone as the only double award winner of the evening, earning both the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year honours. Williams’ heroics included spectacular penalty saves that secured South Africa a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and an outstanding season with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he helped the team achieve a seventh consecutive league title while conceding just 11 goals in 30 matches - a joint league record.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive year, celebrating another stellar season with Paris FC, where she was also named French league Goalkeeper of the Season. Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy won Women’s Interclub Player of the Year for her standout performances in the CAF Women’s Champions League, further highlighting her pivotal role for AS FAR.
Coaching accolades went to Emerse Fae, who guided Cote d’Ivoire to a triumphant Africa Cup of Nations victory on home soil, earning him Men’s Coach of the Year. Lamia Boumehdi of TP Mazembe was named Women’s Coach of the Year after leading her team to the CAF Women’s Champions League title in style.
Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria were crowned Men’s and Women’s National Teams of the Year, respectively, recognising their outstanding achievements on the continental stage. Al Ahly’s dominance in African club football continued as they secured their fourth CAF Champions League title in five years, earning them Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe claimed the Women’s Club of the Year honor.
Fans played their part in the night’s proceedings, voting Angola’s Mabululu as the winner of the Goal of the Year award for his sensational strike at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Young talents were also celebrated, with Senegal’s Lamine Camara and Morocco’s Doha El Madani named Young Players of the Year for men and women. Match officials were honored for their excellence, with Libya’s Mutaz Ibrahim and Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi winning Referee of the Year for men and women, respectively.
The glittering ceremony reflected the remarkable growth of African football, celebrating not only the achievements of 2024 but also the boundless potential of the continent’s players and teams. As the night ended, the winners left no doubt that African football continues to inspire and thrive on the global stage.