The 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards took center stage on December 16th, 2024, in the vibrant city of Marrakech, Morocco. This annual celebration of African football excellence brought together the continent’s finest talents, honoring players, coaches, and teams who showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the year.
The most anticipated award of the evening was undoubtedly the CAF Men’s Player of the Year, fiercely contested by standout performers across the continent: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire), and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea). The competition highlighted a year of thrilling performances, resilience, and extraordinary achievements in both domestic and international competitions.
Ademola Lookman Wins CAF Men’s Player of the Year
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, emerged victorious as the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year. Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 cemented his status as one of Africa’s elite players.
- Club Achievements: Lookman was pivotal in Atalanta’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph, their first major silverware in 61 years. His unforgettable hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen was a masterclass in composure and skill, earning him widespread acclaim.
- International Contributions: On the international stage, Lookman helped Nigeria reach the final of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three crucial goals and earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
Lookman’s triumph represents a well-deserved recognition of his consistency, technical brilliance, and leadership throughout the year.
The Finalists: Remarkable Contributions
While Ademola Lookman took home the prestigious honor, the other nominees also had remarkable years:
- Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
- Adingra was instrumental in Côte d’Ivoire’s 2023 AFCON title-winning campaign, scoring a late equalizer against Mali in the quarterfinals and providing two assists in the final against Nigeria. He was named Best Young Player of the tournament and continued to shine in the Premier League with Brighton.
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
- Club: Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Guirassy enjoyed a prolific 2023-24 season, scoring 30 goals in 30 games for Stuttgart before joining Borussia Dortmund. His 28 Bundesliga goals set a club record, and he continued his form for Guinea, including a hat-trick against Ethiopia in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Hakimi, a consistent performer for club and country, helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. He also contributed significantly to Morocco’s strong international performances, scoring at the AFCON and leading his team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Club: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Williams captained South Africa to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON with memorable penalty shootout heroics. Domestically, he guided Mamelodi Sundowns to their seventh consecutive league title, setting a joint record of just 11 goals conceded in 30 matches.
Full List of Winners: CAF Awards 2024
The ceremony celebrated not only individual brilliance but also collective success. Below is the full list of winners across all categories:
- CAF Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) 🇳🇬
- CAF Women’s Player of the Year: Barbra Banda (Zambia) 🇿🇲
- CAF Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa) 🇿🇦
- CAF Women’s Inter-Club Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco) 🇲🇦
- CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa) 🇿🇦
- CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria) 🇳🇬
- CAF Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal) 🇸🇳 – AS Monaco (France)
- CAF Young Player of the Year (Women): Doha El Madani (Morocco) 🇲🇦 – ASFAR Rabat
- CAF Men’s National Team of the Year: Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
- CAF Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria 🇳🇬
- CAF Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC (Egypt) 🇪🇬
- CAF Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) 🇨🇩
- CAF Goal of the Year: Mabululu (Angola) 🇦🇴
- CAF Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae (Côte d’Ivoire) 🇨🇮
Conclusion: A Celebration of African Excellence
The CAF Awards 2024 in Marrakech celebrated the achievements of individual players and the growing prominence of African football on the global stage. Ademola Lookman’s crowning as the Men’s Player of the Year reflects a year of tireless effort, unforgettable moments, and extraordinary performances.
With emerging stars like Lamine Camara and Doha El Madani also recognized, the future of African football looks brighter than ever. The awards night served as a reminder of the immense talent and passion that continues to define the beautiful game across the continent.
1 Comment
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!