Ademola Lookman, Super Eagles forward, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali have secured spots on the final shortlist for the 2024 CAF Awards, while William Troost-Ekong, a prominent Nigerian defender, failed to make the cut.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the top five nominees for each men’s category ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman, who has been in outstanding form, is among the final five nominees for the Men’s Player of the Year award. The Atalanta star is joined by Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
Lookman’s achievements this year include three goals during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, contributing to his tally of 17 goals and 10 assists for Atalanta last season. This season, he has added eight goals and five assists in 14 matches.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nwabali will compete against Williams, Manchester United’s Andre Onana, Yahia Fofana of Ivory Coast, and Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir. Nwabali gained recognition for his exceptional performance during Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON campaign.
Notably, Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player at AFCON 2023, was omitted from the shortlist, a decision that has surprised many football enthusiasts.
In the coaching category, Nigeria’s Jose Peseiro also missed out, with the final nominees including Emerse Fae, who led Ivory Coast to AFCON glory, Angola’s Pedro Goncalves, Sebastien Desabre of DR Congo, Al Ahly’s Marcel Koller, and South Africa’s Hugo Broos.
Nigeria remains in contention for National Team of the Year, alongside Ivory Coast, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan. Other men’s categories announced by CAF include Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Club of the Year.
