Ademola Lookman And Barbra Banda Crowned African Players Of The Year

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. 

Lookman struck both goals in a last-16 victory over Cameroon and the winner in a 1-0 quarter-finals win over Angola.

A few months after the AFCON, the London-born attacker scored a hat-trick as Atalanta overcame Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final in Dublin.

"This is something incredible. To the youth of Africa I say -- never give up. Turn pain to power," Lookman said after receiving the award.

The runners-up included South African Ronwen Williams, who won the best goalkeeper and best club player awards.

Instead of the traditional three nominees for the best player award, there were five given the closeness of the voting among the coaches and captains of African national teams. 

The other runners-up were Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra and Guinea forward Serhou Guirassy. 

Banda best woman

Zambia forward Banda won the women's player of the year award in recognition of her many goals for American club Orlando Pride and her country.

Banda scored four goals for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a hat-trick in a group-stage loss to Australia.

Her 13 regular season goals and four in play-offs helped Orlando Pride