Super Eagles stars Ademola Lookman and Stanley Nwabali have secured spots on the final shortlist for the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards, with Lookman competing for Player of the Year and Nwabali for Goalkeeper of the Year. However, defender William Troost-Ekong, despite his stellar performances, failed to make the cut.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the top five nominees in various categories ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco. The shortlist follows an earlier longlist released three weeks ago, narrowing down Africa’s top performers between January and October 2024.

Ademola Lookman Leads Player of the Year Race
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, whose exceptional form for club and country has earned him widespread acclaim, leads the shortlist for Men’s Player of the Year. The 26-year-old faces stiff competition from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Lookman’s highlights include a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final and a strong showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he scored three goals.

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Nwabali Competes for Goalkeeper of the Year
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali, who played a pivotal role in the Super Eagles’ 2023 AFCON campaign, stands among Africa’s best. He will compete with South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Manchester United star André Onana, Ivory Coast’s Yahia Fofana, and Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir.

Other Notable Nigerian Absences
Despite being named the MVP of AFCON 2023, William Troost-Ekong was notably left out of the final shortlist, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts. Additionally, former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro also missed the Coach of the Year category, which features top contenders like Ivory Coast’s AFCON-winning coach Emerse Fae and Al Ahly’s Marcel Koller.

Nigeria in the National Team Race
Nigeria remains a strong contender for the National Team of the Year award, competing against reigning champions Ivory Coast, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan.

The 2024 CAF Awards will honor outstanding performances in seven men’s categories, including Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Club of the Year. With Lookman and Nwabali flying Nigeria’s flag high, the awards promise to be a thrilling celebration of African football excellence.