NFF backs Lookman and Nnadozie for CAF awards
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is proudly supporting Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie as they compete for top honors at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Nigeria is in the running for seven awards this year, and Lookman is up for the Men’s Player of the Year award. However, he faces tough competition from several stars, including Simon Adingra from Ivory Coast, Achraf Hakimi of PSG, Serhou Guirassy from Guinea, and Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
The NFF has strongly endorsed Lookman’s chances. In a statement, NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire highlighted Lookman’s impressive achievements, suggesting that his record is superior to that of the other nominees. Olajire pointed out that although Adingra had a great second half in the AFCON final against Nigeria, his performances with Brighton in the Premier League do not match Lookman’s standout season.
Olajire added: “None of the four other final nominees comes close. Ivorian Simon Adingra, whose remarkable second-half performance saw the Elephants overcome Nigeria in the AFCON Final in Abidjan on February 11, cannot point to such a glittering record with English Premier League club, Brighton.”
On the women’s side, Chiamaka Nnadozie is nominated for two awards: Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. She faces competition from Sanaa Mssoudy of Morocco and Barbara Banda from Zambia for the Player of the Year award. Nnadozie, who plays for Paris FC, is also a strong contender to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second year in a row.
If Lookman and Nnadozie both win their respective awards, it will mark the third time Nigeria has achieved this remarkable feat, following the victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Mercy Akide-Udoh in 1999, and Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in 2023.
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony promises to be an exciting event, and all eyes will be on Lookman and Nnadozie as they aim to make history for Nigeria.
