Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman emerged as the star of the night at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, clinching the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year award. Lookman, who finished an impressive 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, edged out fellow nominees Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa).
Lookman’s Stellar Year Earns Recognition:
The 27-year-old Atalanta winger enjoyed a phenomenal year, contributing significantly to both club and country. His hat-trick in the Europa League final was a defining moment, showcasing his talent and propelling him into the ranks of Europe’s elite forwards. Lookman also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s runners-up finish at the 2023 AFCON, adding three goals to his tally.
Double Celebration for Nigeria:
The night belonged to Nigeria, with Lookman not the only winner. The Super Falcons successfully defended their title as the CAF National Team of the Year (Women). Chiamaka Nnadozie, their reliable goalkeeper, retained the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, demonstrating her consistent excellence.
Zambia Makes History with Banda’s Win:
While Nigeria dominated the women’s categories, Zambia celebrated a historic win. Barbra Banda, the country’s first female CAF Player of the Year, received the award. Her impressive performance at the Olympics and her season with Orlando Pride solidified her position as Africa’s top female footballer.
A Night of Recognition:
The annual CAF ceremony honors exceptional players, coaches, and teams throughout the year. Held in Morocco, the event saw a diverse range of winners, recognizing outstanding talent across the continent.
Full List of Award Winners:
- Coach of the Year (Men): Emerse Fae (Cote dโIvoire)
- Coach of the Year (Women): Lamia Boumehdi (Morocco)
- Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco)
- Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Club of the Year (Women): TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
- Club of the Year (Men): Ahly (Egypt)
- National Team of the Year (Men): Cote dโIvoire
- Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal)
- Young Player of the Year (Women): Doha El Madani (Morocco)
- Best Male Referees: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya) & Assistant Elvis Noupue (Cameroon)
- Best Female Referees: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) & Assistant Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
CAF XI:
- Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
- Defenders: Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba
- Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma
- Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorneyโs Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victimโs dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victimโs vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Foreign Students Face Uncertainty as US Revokes Visas and Detains Campus Activists
Foreign students across US colleges are experiencing growing anxiety as plainclothes agents have been seen detaining students in unmarked cars, with videos of these incidents circulating on social media. Those taken into custody during these high-profile detentions have not faced criminal charges but appear targeted for involvement in pro-Palestinian campus protests. The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that visas are a "privilege" that can be revoked for various reasons. However, the scale of the crackdown appears larger than initially believed, with over 1,000 international students or recent graduates across US colleges having had their visas revoked or legal statuses changed, according to a tracker from Inside Higher Ed. Many affected students don't know why their status changed, and universities often only discover these changes when checking government databases that track international students' visa status. This combination of targeted detentions and […]
Human Skull Discovered in Garden During Home Renovation in Cork
GARDAร are investigating the discovery of what appear to be historic human remains in west Cork after a skull wrapped in plastic was unearthed during property development work. The discovery occurred outside the village of Eyeries, where a homeowner had been renovating her property and garden in recent weeks. Workers uncovered an old plastic shopping bag while using a mini excavator to level portions of the garden for installing a greenhouse intended for growing organic vegetables and herbs. Upon inspection, they were shocked to discover what appeared to be a human skull inside the bag. Authorities are uncertain whether the remains belong to an adult or a teenager, but they appear to have been there for a considerable period. The plastic was notably faded, and the remains consisted primarily of bone. One source indicated the remains could potentially date back […]
Aubameyang Stuns Al Nassr With Last Gasp Header As Al Qadsiah Dreams Big
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a dramatic late winner as Al Qadsiah overcame Al Nassr 2-1 on Friday night, breathing new life into their pursuit of a top-three finish in the Roshn Saudi League. At Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, the hosts took the lead in the 35th minute when Turki Al Ammar reacted quickly to convert a rebound, putting Al Qadsiah in control against the league's third-placed team. The advantage lasted until the 84th minute when Sadio Mane equalized for Al Nassr, seemingly shifting momentum toward the visitors who appeared poised to maintain their grip on third place and potentially close within five points of league leaders Al Ittihad. However, just three minutes later, Aubameyang rose above two Al Nassr defenders to meet Nahitan Nandez's looped pass with a powerful header that found the back of the net, sending the home […]
League Leaders Stumble As Title Race Heats Up In Saudi Arabia
Al Ittihad's advantage at the top of the Roshn Saudi League has been reduced to four points following a night of significant developments in the title race on Thursday. Defending champions Al Hilal applied pressure with a commanding 3-0 home win against Al Khaleej earlier in the evening. Captain Salem Al Dawsari found the net twice while Aleksandar Mitrovic added another goal to complete the victory. With their lead shrinking, Al Ittihad then suffered an unexpected 2-0 defeat at Al Fateh. The table-toppers, who had lost just twice in their previous 27 league matches, fell behind in Al Ahsa when Amine Sbai scored after 10 minutes. Matias Vargas extended Al Fateh's advantage midway through the second half. Both teams missed opportunities from the penalty spot during the match. Mourad Batna's attempt at Al Fateh was disallowed after he made contact […]
Brazilian Goalkeeper Bento Proving Worth As Al Nassr Title Chase Heats Up
Following last season's close second-place finish to Riyadh rivals Al Hilal, Al Nassr identified key positions requiring reinforcement. While striker Jhon Duran arrived in winter and defensive reinforcements came through Mohamed Simakan partnering Aymeric Laporte, perhaps their most crucial signing was finding a replacement for departing goalkeeper David Ospina. Despite having promising Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi, the club looked abroad, ultimately signing 25-year-old Brazilian Bento from Athletico Paranaense. With over 150 appearances in Brazil and a national team cap under interim coach Fernando Diniz, Bento represented the ideal profile โ experienced yet still developing, with his prime years ahead. While some viewed Europe as Bento's natural destination, the goalkeeper embraced the Saudi challenge. "I think there is a bit of prejudice against the Saudi league; just look at who plays there," Bento previously stated. "The level is the same, […]
Brazilian Prodigy Takes Younger Teammate Under His Wing At Saudi Club
At just 21 years old and in his first season in the Roshn Saudi League, Robert Renan has displayed remarkable maturity by mentoring a fellow Brazilian newcomer at Al Shabab. The defender, on loan from Russia's Zenit St Petersburg, has been a standout performer in his debut Saudi campaign, missing only two league matches. Renan has integrated perfectly into the team, becoming essential to Al Shabab's pursuit of a top-four finish. With seven rounds remaining, Fatih Terim's side currently sits sixth, three points behind fourth-placed Al Ahli. Beyond his on-field contributions, Renan has taken on another important role. When Al Shabab signed 20-year-old Brazilian Leandrinho during the winter transfer window on loan from Vasco da Gama, the center-back stepped up to help his compatriot adjust to life in Saudi Arabia. Leandrinho has clearly valued this support. "I like being here; […]
Be the first to leave a comment