Ademola Lookman and Barbra Banda Shine as African Footballer of the Year Winners
It was a night to remember in Marrakech, Morocco, as the stars of African football gathered to celebrate the best of the best. On Monday, Ademola Lookman was crowned the CAF African Footballer of the Year after a jaw-dropping season with Atalanta and the Nigeria national team. Meanwhile, Zambia‘s Barbra Banda took home the women’s prize, capping off a historic year for African football.
Lookman’s Rise to Glory
At just 27 years old, Ademola Lookman has already etched his name into the history books. The Nigerian forward delivered a season for the ages, highlighted by his unforgettable hat trick in the Europa League final. That performance not only secured Atalanta their first-ever European silverware but also marked only the second major trophy in the club’s 117-year history. Talk about clutch!
Lookman’s brilliance wasn’t limited to club football. He was a key figure for Nigeria during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals as the Super Eagles reached the final. Although they fell short to the Ivory Coast thanks to a late goal by Sebastian Haller, Lookman’s performances were nothing short of heroic.
For Atalanta, Lookman was a consistent force, racking up 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games across all competitions during the 2023-24 season. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down this campaign, already netting 11 goals in 19 matches as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side sits two points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A.
As he accepted the award, Lookman reflected on his journey: “This award is a blessing, to be recognised as best player in Africa is something incredible. Four years ago my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”
Barbra Banda’s Championship Heroics
On the women’s side, Barbra Banda was the undisputed queen of African football in 2024. The Zambian forward was instrumental in leading the Orlando Pride to the NWSL Championship, scoring the decisive goal in the final against the Washington Spirit. Banda’s playoff performances were nothing short of legendary, as she also found the back of the net in the semifinal against Kansas City Current and bagged a brace in the quarterfinal against the Chicago Red Stars.
Her stellar year didn’t go unnoticed, as Banda also claimed the BBC’s fan-voted Women’s Footballer of the Year award in November. This latest accolade ends the reign of Asisat Oshoala, who had dominated the CAF award by winning it five of the last six years.
Who Did They Beat?
Lookman’s victory wasn’t without stiff competition. The other nominees for the men’s award included:
- Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi
- South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams
- Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy
- Brighton’s Ivorian winger Simon Adingra
For Banda, her main rival was NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga, who had an incredible season of her own but couldn’t match Banda’s playoff heroics.
Award-Winning Legacy
Lookman follows in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen, who won the award last year. The CAF African Footballer of the Year has a storied history, with legends like Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Riyad Mahrez all claiming the prize in recent years. Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure hold the record for the most wins, with four each.
As for Banda, her triumph adds to a growing legacy of African excellence in women’s football. With her talent and determination, it’s clear she’s just getting started.
What a year it’s been for African football! With stars like Lookman and Banda leading the way, the future looks brighter than ever.
Originally Written by: Harry Murphy
