The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards, highlighting Africa’s football excellence across multiple categories. Scheduled to take place on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco, the prestigious event will celebrate the continent’s finest players, coaches, and teams.
Nigerian Representation
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has made the shortlist for the Player of the Year award, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is among the nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year. Both players have enjoyed standout performances in their respective leagues, securing their places among Africa’s best.
Men’s Player of the Year Nominees
The Player of the Year category features five exceptional players:
- Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion): The Ivorian winger has impressed with his electrifying pace and technical skill.
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund): Guirassy’s goal-scoring exploits in Germany have earned him a spot.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain): The Moroccan full-back continues to shine for club and country.
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta): Lookman’s creativity and scoring prowess in Serie A have drawn widespread acclaim.
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns): A key figure for both his club and country, Williams is also nominated in the Goalkeeper category.
Other Key Categories
Goalkeeper of the Year
- Andre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)
- Yahia Fofana (Côte d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)
- Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)
- Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
National Team of the Year
Nigeria competes with Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan for the National Team of the Year award, following an impressive showing in recent international tournaments.
Full List of Nominees
CAF also announced nominees in categories such as Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Club of the Year, reflecting Africa’s broad talent spectrum.
Coach of the Year
- Pedro Goncalves (Angola)
- Emerse Fae (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo)
- Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
- Hugo Broos (South Africa)
Club of the Year
- Al Ahly (Egypt)
- Zamalek (Egypt)
- RS Berkane (Morocco)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
Significance of the Awards
The CAF Awards celebrate the dedication, skill, and impact of African footballers and their teams on the global stage. With Nigeria well-represented across multiple categories, the 2024 ceremony promises to be an exciting event for fans and players alike.
The winners will be revealed during the gala night in Marrakech, continuing a tradition of honoring African football’s brightest stars.
