Victoria Mbangwa
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended its full support to Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie, both of whom are strong contenders for the prestigious CAF Player of the Year awards in 2024.
While Lookman is a standout nominee in the men’s category, Nnadozie is competing for honours in the women’s division, with both players expected to play pivotal roles at the upcoming awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
The NFF in a statement on Sunday declared that none of the other nominees possess the same level of achievement or consistency as Lookman, highlighting Lookman’s impact at club level and his superb performances throughout the year, stressing that he stands out as a clear favourite to win the coveted African Player of the Year award.
The statement reads, “All things being equal, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman should be crowned the African Player of The Year at Monday evening’s 2024 CAF Awards at the Palais des Congrés in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
“None of the four other final nominees comes close. Ivorian Simon Adingra, whose remarkable second-half performance saw the Elephants overcome Nigeria in the AFCON Final in Abidjan on February 11, cannot point to such a glittering record with English Premier League club Brighton.
“In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie is a worthy contender for the Player of the Year (won for the sixth time last year by compatriot Asisat Oshoala), and the gong will cap a remarkable year for the soft-spoken safe hands who helped Nigeria reappear at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years, was key to the Falcons’ qualification for next year’s AFCON, and drew rave reviews all around with French club Paris FC.”
Lookman, who has been in sensational form for Atalanta, faces stiff competition in the men’s category from Ivorian Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
In the women’s category, Chiamaka Nnadozie is also in the running for multiple accolades. She is a contender for the prestigious Women’s Player of the Year award, facing competition from Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbra Banda. Additionally, Nnadozie is vying for a back-to-back victory in the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category, an award she first won in 2023.
The NFF also pointed to her instrumental role in helping Nigeria return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in 16 years, as well as her crucial performances in the Super Falcons’ qualification for the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AFCON). Her stellar season with Paris FC has only enhanced her candidacy.
