Afenifere celebrates Lookman, Super Falcons, Nnadozie’s CAF Awards

Urges govt to create environment for excellence

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Wednesday, celebrated the new African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, not just for his attainment but also for his patriotism, inspiring speech and comportment during the award ceremony by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Morocco last Monday.

In a release by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere congratulated the 27-year-old player for joining the league of Nigerians who have earned the coveted award in subsequent years.

Afenifere also congratulated the Super Falcons for emerging as the best Women’s National Team of the Year as well as Chiamaka Nnadozie, who bagged the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year 2024.

The Guardian recalls that the England-born Nigerian player was conferred with the African footballer of the year 2024 at the award night ceremony organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Marakash, Morocco on Monday, December 16, this year.

Lookman, whose parents hail from Lagos, Nigeria, joined the league of the following Nigerians who have bagged the same award in the past. The first winner of the award was the legendary Rashidi Yekinni who won it in 1993. Others in succession were Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).

At the ceremony, Lookman showcased his Yoruba heritage both in his flowing Agbada outfit and in his speech, which he began with salutation and an expression of gratitude to Nigeria and his supporters in Yoruba language. The demonstration of patriotism before a global audience was impressive.

Earlier, he had asserted that his decision to wear