sportskeeda
Ademola Lookman from Nigeria has been honored with the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, outshining rivals including Ronwen Williams from South Africa, Achraf Hakimi from Morocco, Serhou Guirassy from Guinea, and Simon Adingra from Ivory Coast.
The award was determined through votes cast by coaches and captains of all member associations of CAF. Lookman’s outstanding performances during the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where Nigeria reached the finals, significantly contributed to his accolade.
He also scored a hat-trick in a match where his team, Atalanta, defeated Bayer Leverkusen from Germany, clinching the UEFA Europa League title.
“Four years ago, I encountered considerable challenges in the public eye, and now, four years later, I’ve risen to be the best player in Africa,” Lookman stated as he accepted the award. “To all the young people and everyone watching, don’t let your failures weigh you down; turn your pain into power and keep pushing forward. God bless.”
While Lookman took home the prestigious award, Ronwen Williams also celebrated a successful night, receiving both the CAF Club Player of the Year and the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year awards.
Complete List of CAF Award Winners:
- CAF Women’s Player of the Year: Barbara Banda
- CAF Goal of the Year: Mabululu
- CAF Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae
- CAF Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi
- CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams
- CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie
- CAF Inter Club Women’s Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy
- CAF Inter Club Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams
- CAF Club of the Year (Women): T.P Mazambe
- CAF Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly
- CAF National Team of the Year (Men): Ivory Coast
- CAF National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
- CAF Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara
- CAF Young Player of the Year (Women): Doha El Madani
This year’s CAF Awards ceremony was hosted in Morocco, honoring the outstanding achievements of African football players and teams.
