Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman was named 2024 African men's player of the year at a ceremony in Marrakesh on Monday, while Zambia's Barbra Banda picked up the women's award. Lookman succeeds compatriot Victor Osimhen, who last year became the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. The 27-year-old owes his achievement to consistently excellent performances both for Nigeria and current Serie A leaders Atalanta. His three goals helped Nigeria reach the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they led hosts the Ivory Coast before losing 2-1 in Abidjan.