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CAF celebrates Ademola Lookman’s AFCON goals ahead of AFY award

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Ahead of the 2024 African Footballer of the Year (AFY) award scheduled to hold in Morocco next month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rolled out the drums to celebrate the goals scored by Super Eagles of Nigeria forward, Ademola Lookman, at the last AFCON.

After finishing in 14th position at the Ballon d’Or, many have tipped the Atalanta star as the clear favourite to win CAF’s African Footballer of the Year award for 2024 and the continent’s football governing body seems to align with the verdict by celebrating his goals at the AFCON and his iconic celebrations depicting those of late Green Eagles player, Samuel Okwaraji.

Lookman was a key member of the Nigerian Super Eagles at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, in addition to his hat trick in the Europa League final, where Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen to win the trophy.

This season, the striker has continued where he stopped, notching up two Champions League goals and six goals and four assists in eight league games is one of the best in the world right now.

The CAF awards will take place in Rabat on December 16 at the famous Mohammed VI Grand Theatre and if Lookman picks up the gong, will be taking over from Nigerian team mate, Victor Osimhen who won the 2023 edition.

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Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

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The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

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Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

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Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

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