The 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrated the brilliance of African football on Monday, with Ademola Lookman, Barbra Banda, and Ronwen Williams among the night’s biggest winners. The star-studded event honored the year’s top performers, showcasing the incredible strides in African men’s and women’s football.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year following a stellar season with Atalanta in Serie A and his contributions to the Nigerian Super Eagles. Lookman’s win marked the first time since Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba (1996 and 1997) that Nigeria has had back-to-back winners of the prestigious award, with Victor Osimhen taking the title in 2023.

Zambian star Barbra Banda claimed the Women’s Player of the Year award after a historic season. She led Orlando Pride to the NWSL Championship in the United States, scoring the decisive goal in the final. Banda also made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by scoring her third career hat-trick in the tournament, a feat unmatched in Olympic football. Her inclusion in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 was another milestone, making her the first African player to achieve this honor.

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams was the only double winner of the night, taking home the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year awards. Williams’ stunning penalty saves at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations helped South Africa secure a bronze medal, and he led Mamelodi Sundowns to a seventh consecutive South African Premiership title with a record-breaking defense.

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie retained her title as Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, following another impressive season with Paris FC, where she was named Goalkeeper of the Season in the French league. Meanwhile, Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy was honored as the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year after her exceptional performances in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Emerse Fae was recognized as Men’s Coach of the Year for leading Cote d’Ivoire to a historic Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil, while Lamia Boumehdi of TP Mazembe claimed Women’s Coach of the Year for guiding her team to the CAF Women’s Champions League crown.

Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria were named Men’s and Women’s National Teams of the Year, respectively, while Al Ahly and TP Mazembe won the Club of the Year honors for men and women. Angola’s Mabululu won Goal of the Year for his stunning strike at the Africa Cup of Nations, the only award voted on by fans.

The 2024 CAF Awards also celebrated young talent, with Senegal’s Lamine Camara and Morocco’s Doha El Madani winning the Young Player of the Year titles for men and women. Match officials were also honored, with Libya’s Mutaz Ibrahim named Men’s Referee of the Year and Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi taking the women’s title.

The event reaffirmed African football’s rapid growth, showcasing the continent’s remarkable talent and its increasing impact on the global stage. The winners left no doubt that African football continues to reach new heights, inspiring the next generation of stars.