Ademola Lookman and Barbra Banda Win CAF Player of the Year Awards

Lookman and Banda are recognized for their exceptional performances in club and international football at the annual CAF awards in Marrakech.

Ademola Lookman, a forward for Atalanta and Nigeria, was named 2024 African Men's Player of the Year after a standout season, including a Europa League final hat trick and key contributions in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Barbra Banda of Zambia won the Women's Player of the Year award for her pivotal role in Orlando Pride's NWSL Championship victory and her impressive goal-scoring performances at the Paris Olympics.
Lookman succeeded Victor Osimhen, becoming the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award, and emphasized resilience in his acceptance speech, urging African youth to 'turn pain to power.'
Banda's achievements include scoring the decisive goal in the NWSL final and earning recognition as the league's most valuable player, solidifying her status as a rising star in women's football.
Other notable winners included Ivory Coast's Emerse Faé as Men's Coach of the Year for leading the national team to an AFCON title, and Nigeria's women's team as Team of the Year for maintaining their top FIFA ranking in Africa.