Nigeria has made football history by surpassing Côte d’Ivoire in the all-time Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year Award winners. 

This milestone was achieved after Ademola Lookman was crowned the 2024 African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Lookman’s win marked Nigeria’s seventh Player of the Year title, making the country the leader in this prestigious category. The achievement cements Nigeria’s reputation as a powerhouse of African football.

Legacy of excellence

The list of Nigerian players who have won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award showcases the nation’s consistent excellence.

  • Rashidi Yekini (1993)
  • Emmanuel Amuneke (1994)
  • Kanu Nwankwo (1996 & 1999)
  • Victor Ikpeba (1997)
  • Victor Osimhen (2023)
  • Ademola Lookman (2024)

This impressive tally puts Nigeria ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, which has six wins, dominated by Yaya Touré (4 wins) and Didier Drogba (2 wins).

Nigeria’s unique record

Nigeria is the only country to win the CAF Player of the Year Award in two consecutive years on three separate occasions, each time with a different player. 

This streak shows the depth of talent in Nigerian football and the country’s ability to consistently produce world-class players.

Ademola Lookman’s triumph is a show of the strength and growth of Nigerian football. With stars like Victor Osimhen and Lookman leading the charge, Nigeria’s dominance in African football looks set to continue.

Football fans across the country are celebrating this historic moment, proud to see Nigeria at the top of Africa’s football achievements. The future is bright for Nigerian football, and the world is watching.

Other African champions

While Nigeria leads the pack, other African nations have also made their mark:

  • Côte d’Ivoire: 6 wins (Yaya Touré, 4; Didier Drogba, 2)
  • Cameroon: 5 wins (Samuel Eto’o, 4; Patrick Mboma, 1)
  • Senegal: 3 wins (El Hadji Diouf, 2; Sadio Mané, 1)

Players from Ghana, Morocco, Mali, Liberia, Algeria, and Togo have each won the award once, showing the diversity of talent across the continent.