SportsNews
BREAKING: Ademola Lookman wins 2024 CAF African Player of the Year
The announcement was made during a glittering ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrating the finest talents in African football.
Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta forward had a sensational year, dazzling fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing.
Lookman
Lookman was instrumental in both his club’s success in Serie A and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His standout performances, including crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistent brilliance in domestic competitions, solidified his position as one of Africa’s brightest stars.
Lookman edged out fierce competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the coveted award.
Lookman
PUNCH Online reported in October that Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.
In May, Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Europa League final as Atalanta stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, dramatically halting the Bundesliga champions’ 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Ademola Lookman [Credit: X |
Speaking at the event, Lookman dedicated the award to his teammates, family, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
Other award winners include:
𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 is the Women’s Player of the Year – Zambia
The Women’s National Team of the Year is 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.
The Men’s Young Player of the Year, for the second year in a row, is 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 – Senegal.
The Women’s Young Player of the Year is 𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐚 𝐄𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢 – Morocco.
The Men’s Club of the Year is 𝐀𝐥 𝐀𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐂 – Egypt.
The Women’s Club of the Year is TP Mazembe – Congo
The Men’s Interclub Player of the Year is 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 – South Africa
The Women’s Interclub Player of the Year is 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐚 𝐌𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐲 – Morocco
The Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year is Chiamaka Nnadozie – Nigeria
The Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year is Ronwen Williams
The Men’s Coach of the Year is 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐞 – Cote d’Ivoire
The Women’s Coach of the Year is 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐝𝐢 – TP Mazembe
The Goal of the Year is Cristovao 𝗠𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗹𝘂 – Angola
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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