By: Umaro Saidu Turay
This remarkable event took places last night in the vibrant city of Marrakech Morocco where both players, coaches and clubs were honoured for their exceptional Contribution toward the game of football.
The 2024 CAF award is a testament of the special talent and divergent of Africa football. As the Africa continent continue unearth world class players and teams, the future of African football seems extremely promising.
Ademola Lookman the Nigerian born super star forward who plays for Atlanta football club was the standout performer of the night during the award ceremony.
Lookman who reached the final of the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria in the AFCON , losing to the host ivory in a decisive match to end the prestigious competition was crowned as CAF Men's Best Player Award.
In the same night the Zambian born super stars Barbra Banda's continue her dominace as Africa top female footballers after securing her CAF Women's Player of the year award.
Barbra Banda hat- trick for Zambia during Paris Olympic was her third Olympic Games football which also double as her all time record in the competition recognized her among the greatest to have played the game. She is only the first ever player from the African continent to be included in the FIFPRO Women's World 11 in 2024.
Other reputable award winners is the Super Falcon of Nigeria National Team who were crowned as the Women's National Team of the Year winning this prestigious award back to back.
The award was presented to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Musa Gusua who on behalf of the Falcon dedicated the award to Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Former Nigeria Striker Obafemi Martins and 1996 Olympic Women's long jumb goal Medalist winner Chioma Anunwa and other were among the stars of the night as they presented awards
However, four super Falcons stars were named among CAF Best 11 for 2024 namely, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibabe, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie.
As a result of her outstanding performance with her French side Paris FC Nigeria goal keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the award for the Women's Goalkeeper of the year wining the award back to back after a successful session with her French club.
Meanwhile, South Africa Ronwen Williams was the only double winner of the night winning the award for the Best Men Goalkeeper od the year and as well picking the Interclub Player of the Year awards.
His famous save against cote d'voire during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 will be remembered including his four save in the quarter final penalty shootout win against Cape Verde he won the Bronx medal as the captained of the team.
Both Victor Osimhen and the new kid on the block Lookman made the CAF Best 11.
Women Interclub Player of the year. ASFAR and Morocco international Sanaa Mssoudy.
The Men's Young Player of the Year goes to Lamine Camara of Senegal and AS Monoco while thr Women's Young Player of the year went to Doha El Madani of AS FAR and Morocco who won the Golden boot at the CAF Women's Championship league securing six goals in five matches.
The Men's Coach of the Year went to Emerse Fae - wining the CAF Cup of Nation on home soil taking the team in the brink of elimination while the Women's Coach of the Year went to Lamia Boumehdi
The other winners are as follows:
Men's Club of the Year: Al Ahly's
Goal of the Year: Mabululu who clinical finished against Namibia at the continental finals in Cote d'lvoire's.
Men's Referee of the Year: Mutaz Ibrahim of Libya.
Women's Referee of the Year: Bouchra Karboubi of Morocco.
Men's Assistant Referee of the Year: Cameroonian Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue.
Women's Assistant Referee of the Year: Zambian, Diana Chikotesha.
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