BY IFEANYI UWAGWU/ EBI NIEKETIEN
ADEMOLA Lookman has been included in the final five-man shortlist for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award.
CAF unveiled the final five-man shortlist on their X handle yesterday.
However, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong did not make the final shortlist.
Other contenders include; Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain), Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).
In the men’s club of the year category, Al Ahly and Zamalek, both of Egypt made the shortlist, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa); RS Berkane (Morocco); and ES Tunis (Tunisia).
In the men’s national team category, AFCON winners Ivory Coast, Congo DR; South Africa, Sudan and finalists Nigeria, made the cut.
Nigeria’s Nwabali and Ronwen Williams of South Africa lead the pack in the chase for the Goalkeeper of the Year category.
In a bizarre twist, Nigeria’s Coach at the last AFCON, Jose Peseiro, who led the team to the finals, was omitted from the Men’s Coach of the year category. The contenders include Emerse Fae (Cote d Ivoire); Pedro Goncalves (Angola); Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo); Hugo Broos (Cameroon) and Marcel Koller (Al Ahly FC).
Other category include the men’s Interclub player of the year.
Meanwhile, the Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers with a shocking 2-1 loss to Rwanda.
The match, held yesterday night in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, showcased the underdog’s resilience as the Rwandan side came from behind to secure victory.
However, Nigeria had already qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, finishing top of the group with 11 points.
Samuel Chukwueze gave Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, delighting the home crowd. Rwanda, however, quickly responded, with Aimable Mutinzi equalising in the 72nd minute.
Just three minutes later, Imanishimwe Nshuti completed the comeback, sealing a memorable win for Rwanda.
Benin Republic and Sudan also sealed their qualification for the event yesterday.
