African Player of the Year: Contenders Adingra and Lookman Highlighted

The African Footballer of the Year awards for both men and women are scheduled to be announced on Monday, with five male players and three female players competing for their respective accolades. Among the top contenders, Simon Adingra assisted both goals for Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, while Ademola Lookman achieved a hat-trick in the Europa League final playing for Atalanta. Ademola Lookman is considered a frontrunner among the male nominees, following his notable performances for Atalanta throughout the last year. The 27-year-old attacker was instrumental in securing the Italian club’s inaugural European trophy in its history during the previous season. Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, a former Ghana international, has put aside customary West African rivalries and backs the Nigerian player to claim the award. “I will support him to win because of what he’s done for Atalanta, winning the Europa League and scoring a hat-trick in the final,” Agyemang-Badu stated to BBC Sport Africa. Lookman’s Super Eagles team finished as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), as Ivory Coast secured the trophy on their home ground. Simon Adingra provided assists for both of the Elephants’ goals on that February day in Abidjan. “Adingra was absolutely outstanding – the key player in the knockout stages,” Dean Furman, a former South Africa midfielder, commented to the BBC. “He was rightly named young player the tournament and man of the match (in the final). He gets my vote.” South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, was awarded the golden glove at Afcon 2023 after saving four penalties during Bafana Bafana’s quarter-final shootout win against Cape Verde. The men’s shortlist is completed by Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, who earned a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy. Zambia striker Barbra Banda stands out as a prominent contender for the women’s award, especially following her recognition as BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. She led Orlando Pride to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) title and demonstrated excellent goalscoring prowess for the Copper Queens at the Olympic Games yet again. Banda secured the position of second-highest goalscorer in the NWSL this year, scoring 17 goals. Sanaa Mssoudy of Morocco, also a forward, earned the distinction of best player at this year’s African Women’s Champions League. The 24-year-old netted two goals as her team, AS FAR, concluded the tournament as runners-up. Chiamaka Nnadozie from Nigeria completes the list of nominees, having been recognized as the top female goalkeeper in France while playing for Paris FC. Malawian sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga were initially included in the five-woman shortlist but did not advance to the final three.