Lookman, Nnadozie, Falcons emerge Africa’s bests at CAF Awards
As expected, Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, who almost single-handedly won the 2023/24 Europa League for Italian side, Atalanta, was yesterday in Marrakech, Morocco, crowned African Footballer of the year.
The Nigerian, whose three goals contributed to Super Eagles’ march to the final game of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, replaces his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, who won the crown last year.
Before yesterday’s crowning witnessed by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe and other top global football icons, there were rumours of a leaked report that showed Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi as the winner of the title.
But such reports were rubbished by Infantino, who got the honour from Motsepe to announce Lookman as the winner of the title.
Nigeria also excelled in other categories of the awards, with the Super Falcons retaining the Best African Team of the Year (women) award, just as goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, once again, took the women’s best goalkeeper of the year award.
The Super Falcons’ number one goalkeeper thanked the CAF and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) presidents for their contributions to growing the women’s game in Africa.
“Last year I was here, and I am here again today and grateful to God. I want to say big thank you to the CAF President and Nigerian Football President for the work done for women’s football. Also thank you to my club, Paris FC, who have invested a lot in me. Also, to my coaches and teammates who all made this happen.
“Of course, to my family and friends who have supported me from day one,” said Nnadozie.
Earlier after accepting the Best Team award gong on behalf of the Super Falcons, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, who promised to continue working to keep the Super