Nigerian and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman bagged the CAF Men’s Player of the Year following an outstanding season with Zambia’s Barbara Banda scooping the Women’s Player of the Year.The 27-year-old beat strong opposition from Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, South African Ronwen Williams, Cameroon’s Andre Onana, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy and Ivory Coast’s Yahia Fofana.##NAJAVA_MECA_8577488##His victory took Nigeria to second in the most successful nation in the award with Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023) all winning the gong before him.Cameroon remains the most successful nation having produced 11 winners since the award was first conferred in 1970.Wanyama identifies key challenges hindering growth of football in KenyaWomen’s Player of the YearCopper Queens captain Barbara Banda won the Women’s Player of the Year following a spectacular year with Orlando Pride and the Zambian national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.The forward added the award to her cabinet after winning the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award and earning a spot in the FIFPRO World XI.’Africa is worried about Kenya’ Hussein Mohammed ahead of CAF Awards in MoroccoWomen’s Young Player of the YearDoha El Madani scooped the Women’s Young Player of the Year at the tender age of 19 after starring for her side ASFAR from Morocco.The young forward already has a decorated career that has seen her win the Moroccan Women’s Championship the Moroccan Women’s Throne Cup twice, CAF Women’s Champions League runners-up and AF Women’s Champions League Top Scorer.##NAJAVA_MECA_8577482##Women’s National Team of the YearAfter showing flashes of brilliance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Nigeria clinched the Women’s National Team.Men’s National Team of the Year Update on Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma after injury scare in PolandIvory Coast took home the Men’s National Team of the Year who were the winners of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.Men’s Club of the YearThe reigning CAF Champions League winners for the fourth time in five years, Al Ahly claimed the Men’s Club of the Year.##NAJAVA_MECA_8577477##The Egyptian giants proved their quality yet again as they also claimed the Egyptian Premier League and Egyptian Super Cup.Women’s Club of the YearDR Congo giants TP Mazembe bagged the Women’s Club of the Year following a spectacular year that saw them hit massive milestones.TP Mazembe won the CAF Women’s Champions League and their domestic competition to cap off their wonderful year.Engin Firat slaps FKF with huge financial demands, threatens FIFA moveMen’s Interclub Player of the Year South African custodian Ronwen Williams who made the list of Goalkeeper of the Year nominees for world football’s most prestigious individual trophy, the Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy won the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year.The shot-stopper helped Mamelodi Sundowns to a record-extending seventh domestic league title in a row as they conceded a joint league record low of 11 goals in 30 games.##NAJAVA_MECA_8577479##Women’s Interclub Player of the YearAfter winning the Best Player award at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, Moroccan Sanaâ Mssoudy bagged the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year.Women’s Goalkeeper of the YearChiamaka Nnadozie scooped the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year following an outstanding season for French side Paris FC and was named Goalkeeper of the Season as her club finished third.Odada, Otieno unused as Anyembe misses action in DenmarkMen’s Goalkeeper of the YearRonwen Williams clinched his second award of the night after winning the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.The Mamelodi Sundowns custodian beat Manchester United’s Andre Onana and Yahia Fofana to the award.Women’s Coach of the Year##NAJAVA_MECA_8577309##Moroccan coach Lamia Boumehdi led TP Mazembe to the CAF Women’s Champions League title with a victory over AS FAR in the final.She also took the team to the domestic title in 2024, and the UNIFFAC qualifier tournament for the CAF Women’s Champions League.Men’s Coach of the YearEmerse Fae went home with the award after guiding Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.Michael Olunga on whether he will pursue engineering after football retirementHe started the tournament as an assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset but ended up guiding his nation to the title in one of the most thrilling comebacks.Best XI (Men)Andre Onana – Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba – Mohammed Kudus, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, Yves Bissouma – Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola LookmanBest XI (Women)##NAJAVA_MECA_8577480##Andile Dlamini (South Africa) – Michelle Alozie (Nigeria), Karabo Dhlamini (South Africa), Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria) – Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa), Linda Motlhalo (South Africa), Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria), Ghizlane Cheebak (Morocco), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi).Goal of the YearAngolan Mabululu clinched the Goal of the Year with his strike in the Africa Cup of Nations against Namibia where he ran through on goal before curling the ball to the far post.
