By Nurudeen Obalola
Six Nigerian players and teams are still in the race for prizes at the 2024 CAF Awards, with Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie up for the biggest honours.
The CAF Awards will be held in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, with Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Lookman favourite to succeed his compatriot Victor Osimhen as African Player of the Year.
The 27-year-old is on the final five-man shortlist along with Simon Adingra of Cote d’Ivoire, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Serhou Guirassy of Guinea and Ronwen Williams of South Afrca.
Super Falcons and Paris FC star Nnadozie is a finalist for two awards: African Women’s Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year, which she won in 2023.
Nnadozie, 24, is up against Zambia striker Barbra Banda and Morocco forward Sanaâ Mssoudy for the African Women’s Player of the Year prize, while Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini are her fellow finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Super Eagles are among the three Men’s National Team of the Year finalists with Africa Cup of Nations holders Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa, while the Super Falcons are contesting with Morocco and South Africa for the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
Edo Queens, who stunned the continent by reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League as debutants, are in the running for the Women’s Club of the Year with winners of the competition TP Mazembe of DR Congo and beaten finalists AS FAR of Morocco.
Rivers Angels and Nigeria youngster Chiamaka Okuchukwu is a Women’s Young Player of the Year finalist, vying with Doha El Madani of AS FAR and Morocco, and Habiba Sabry of FC Masar and Egypt.
With six finalists, there are more Nigerian players and teams contesting for honours than from any other country.
