The Nigerian duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have made the final shortlist for CAF Men’s Best XI of the Year, released at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Lookman, who won the biggest prize of the awards after he was crowned the Men’s African Player of the Year, joins Osimhen, the 2023 recipient of the award, as the only Super Eagles players on the African XI.
The Atalanta forward was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the final at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, scoring three goals and helping the Super Eagles pick up a silver medal, while Osimhen scored once but was a disturbing presence for most defenders throughout the tournament.
Lookman finished last season with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games for Atalanta, while Osimhen registered 17 goals and four assists in 32 games for Napoli in the same campaign.
The pair, however, are joined in the attack by Egypt international and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who starred for both club and country in the past year.
South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, who won Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, lost out to Manchester United and Cameroon’s Andre Onana in goal.
The defense as Player of the Year finalist Achraf Hakimi, as well as Kalidou Koulibaly and Chancel Mbemba, while the quartet of Yves Bissouma, Sofyan Amrabat, Franck Kessie, and Mohammed Kudus were named in midfield.
Who wouldn’t want to watch this team? 🤯
The 𝐂𝐀𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈 belongs in a museum. 🖼️⁰#CAFAwards2024 | @FIFProAfrica | @FIFPRO pic.twitter.com/XQZzmoyxfx
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 16, 2024
Meanwhile, the CAF Women’s Best XI has four Nigerians on the list with Rashidat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Michelle Alozie, and Ohale making the shortlist.
Full CAF Women’s Best XI
Goalkeeper: Andre Onana (Cameroon/Manchester United)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Khalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Al Hilal), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo/Marseille)
Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Mali/Tottenham Hotspur), Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco/Fenerbahce), Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast/Al Ahli), Mohammed Kudus (Ghana/West Ham United)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Full CAF Women’s Best XI
Goalkeeper: Andile Dlamini (South Africa/Mamemodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Michelle Alozie (Nigeria/Houston Dynamo), Karabo Dhlamini (South Africa/Mamemodi Sundowns), Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria/Pachuca), Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa/Mamemodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Linda Motlhalo (South Africa/Racing Louisville), Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/Atletico Madrid), Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco/Levante Badalona)
Forwards: Barbra Banda (Zambia/Orlando Pride), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria/Bay FC), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi/Olympique Lyon Feminin)
