Nigeria's Lookman and Zambia's Banda named African players of the year

NEWS WIRES

16 December 2024 at 4:07 pm·1-min read

Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman and Zambia striker Barbra Banda were named Footballer of the Year of the men's and women's categories respectively at the Confederation of African Football Awards in Marrakesh on Monday.

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.

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