Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie, two of Nigeria’s brightest football stars, could advance to the final shortlists for the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards on Thursday.

The ceremony, which celebrates the best in African football, is set to take place on December 16 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

Ademola Lookman, who dazzled fans with his performances for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, is a strong contender for the Men’s African Player of the Year award. His remarkable season included a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final, where Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen to claim the trophy.

Lookman’s contribution of 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season, coupled with his pivotal role in Nigeria’s runner-up finish at the rescheduled 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, cements his place as a favorite.

Lookman faces stiff competition from Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.

The final three nominees for this category will be unveiled December 12th before the awards night.

In the women’s categories, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons goalkeeper, has been nominated for both the Women’s African Player of the Year and the Best Goalkeeper awards.

For the Player of the Year title, Nnadozie will compete against Malawi’s Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy, and Zambia’s Barbra Banda. In the goalkeeper category, she is up against Fideline Ngoy of DR Congo, Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco, and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.

Beyond Lookman and Nnadozie, other Nigerians have also been recognized for their contributions to the game. Rising star Chiamaka Okwuchukwu has made the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year award after an impressive showing at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Meanwhile, the Super Falcons are in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year, reflecting their consistency and dominance in African football.

Nigeria’s representation extends to the club level, with Edo Queens, the reigning Nigerian Women’s League champions, nominated for Women’s Club of the Year. Additionally, Falconets coach Chris Danjuma has earned a nod for the Women’s Coach of the Year award.

The CAF Awards 2024 will honor achievements in African football across several categories, including Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and National Team of the Year, among others. The eligibility period for the awards spans from January to October 2024, ensuring recognition of consistent excellence throughout the year.

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