By Samuel Timothy
Super Eagles stars Ademola Lookman and Stanley Nwabali have both secured spots in the final shortlist for the CAF Awards 2024. While Lookman contends for the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year Award, Nwabali vies for the Keeper of the Year accolade. However, the omission of William Troost-Ekong from the final list has left many surprised.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the final five nominees across seven categories for the awards, set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16. These categories celebrate exceptional performances by players, teams, and coaches between January and October 2024.
Lookman, a standout performer for Atalanta and Nigeria, leads the Player of the Year race. The shortlist also features Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. With three goals during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, Lookman is a strong contender. He has continued his stellar form this season, with eight goals and five assists in just 14 games.
Nwabali, Chippa United’s goalkeeper, shone brightly during AFCON 2023, helping Nigeria secure key victories. He now faces tough competition for the Keeper of the Year award, going up against Cameroon’s André Onana, Ivory Coast’s Yahia Fofana, Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir, and fellow nominee Ronwen Williams.
Nigeria Maintains Presence Despite Troost-Ekong’s Omission
William Troost-Ekong’s absence from the final shortlist for the Player of the Year Award has been a talking point. The AFCON 2023 MVP was expected to be a strong contender. In contrast, former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro was also excluded from the Coach of the Year shortlist, which includes AFCON-winning manager Emerse Faé, Angola’s Pedro Gonçalves, DR Congo’s Sébastien Desabre, Al Ahly’s Marcel Koller, and South Africa’s Hugo Broos.
Nigeria’s national football team remains in contention for the National Team of the Year, alongside Ivory Coast, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan. This recognition underscores the country’s sustained excellence on the continental stage.
CAF has also confirmed additional categories, including Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Club of the Year. These awards highlight the diverse talent across African football.
As anticipation builds for the December 16 event, Ademola Lookman’s consistent brilliance makes him a favorite for the Men’s Player of the Year award. Meanwhile, Stanley Nwabali’s impressive goalkeeping displays could crown him Africa’s best keeper.
