Who won African Player of the Year 2024? Lookman headlines list of CAF prize winners including best men’s player

Every December, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) holds its annual award ceremony to recognize the greatest players, teams, and coaches from around the continent across the previous calendar year.

While there are many awards presented at the ceremony, the one which garners the most attention is African Player of the Year, which has long been one of the most coveted trophies in all of football.

This year, five players on both the men’s and women’s sides are vying to be named best football star from Africa in 2024. Controversially, last year’s holder Victor Osimhen and 2022 winner Mohamed Salah were not named to the final shortlist, meaning a new star will be born.

The Sporting News brings you everything you need to know about the 2024 African Player of the Year given out by CAF at the award gala on December 16.

Who won CAF player of the year 2024? Final results for men and women

This year’s award ceremony has propped up five final candidates for the coveted Player of the Year trophy on both the men’s and women’s side.

CAF Player of the Year winner & nominees — Men

For the men, Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi are the favorites.

Atalanta star Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final last summer and has continued his electric form into the 2024/25 season, helping Atalanta to challenge for the Serie A title and Champions League crown.

Meanwhile, Hakimi is aiming to become the first defender to ever win the award since its inception in 1992.

• Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton)
• Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG)
• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
• Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

WINNER: Ademola Lookman

CAF Player of the Year winner & nominees — Women

On the women’s side, Barbra Banda of 2022 Women’s World Cup stardom is amongst the nominees, joined by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.

• Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
• Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
• Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)

WINNER: Barbra Banda

Other award winners at 2024 CAF awards

The following players, coaches, and teams were also recognized for various awards at the ceremony.

• Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (AS Monaco / Senegal)
• Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (ASFAR / Morocco)
• Men’s National Team of the Year: Ivory Coast
• Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
• Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly (Egypt)
• Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (Mozambique)
• Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns / South Africa)
• Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (ASFAR / Morocco)
• Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns / South Africa)
• Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC / Nigeria)
• Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast)
• Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
• Men’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI: (3-4-3 formation): Andre Onana (GK) — Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba — Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma — Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman.
• Women’s FIFPRO CAF Best XI — (3-4-3 formation): Andile Dlamini (GK) — Michelle Alozie, Karabo Dhlamini, Osinachi Ohale — Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Ghizlane Chebbak — Barbra Banda, Asisat Oshoala, Tabitha Chawinga.
• 2024 Goal of the Year: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola vs. Namibia)

African Player of the Year all-time winners

Men’s all-time award winners

Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure are locked at the top of the all-time standings with four wins apiece. Mo Salah will have to wait at least another year to close the gap and move on to three

His former Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane is one of four other players with two successes, alongside Didier Drogba, Nwankwo Kanu and El Hadji Diouf.

The below table lists the winners since CAF began awarding the prize in 1992 (it was previously an award given by France Football).

Women’s all-time award winners

Asisat Oshoala’s six successes picked up the baton from four-time winner and compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha.

Another Nigerian, Cynthia Uwak, is the only other multiple winner following successes in 2006 and 2007. Chiamaka Nnadozie is in the running to keep this dominance going in 2024.