BREAKING: CAF announces winner of 2024 Africa Player of the Year award

Published

2 months ago

December 17, 2024

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BREAKING: CAF announces winner of 2024 Africa Player of the Year award

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman on Monday scooped the Africa Player of the Year award at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lookman was the biggest winner at a star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, as Africa’s best performers for the year were honoured.

The glittering ceremony was attended by football royalty from the continent and beyond.

It was a celebration of the incredible growth and development of the game in Africa, and the astonishing strides that have been made in men’s and women’s football in recent years.

Lookman was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year after a sensational 12 months with Italian side Atalanta and the Nigeria’s Super Eagles follows in the footsteps of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who claimed the award in 2023.

The award for the Super Eagles winger is coming less than 33 months after he won his first cap for Nigeria at international level.

The 27-year-old won the FIFA U17 World Cup with England before committing his future to Nigeria, and helped steer the Super Eagles to the runner-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

Also, he was key to Italian side Atalanta FC winning the UEFA Europa Cup last season, and this year, has scored 11 goals and notched five assists for the same club in 18 games across all competitions.

Lookman’s triumph was the big cake for Nigeria following goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s retention of the Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Nigeria’s Nnadozie claimed the award for the second year in a row having had another outstanding season for French side Paris FC, where she was named Première Ligue Goalkeeper of the Season for 2023/2024.

This was as the Super Falcons again won the Women’s National Team of the Year award just as they did last year.

Gusau, who collected the Women’s National Team of the Year award on behalf of the Falcons, dedicated the prize to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and pledged that his administration will continue to support women’s football in all its ramifications.

Nigeria’s five-time Olympian and Olympic bronze-medallist Mary Onyali, former Nigeria international striker Obafemi Martins and 1996 Olympic women’s long jump gold winner Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah were among the stars of the night as they presented awards.

Four Super Falcons, namely Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala made the CAF Best 11 Women for 2024, while last year’s Player of the Year winner Victor Osimhen and new King Lookman made the Best 11 Men roster.

Zambia striker Barbra Banda and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams were the other big winners on the night.

Banda took the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season in the United States by storm as she helped Orlando Pride to the NWSL Shield and Championship, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Washington Spirit.

Her hat-trick for Zambia at Paris Olympics 2024 was her third in Olympic Games football, an all-time record in the competition, elevating her to among the greats to have played the game.

Banda became the first player from Africa to be included in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in 2024.

Williams was the only double winner on the night, collecting the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year awards.

His spectacular penalty saves at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will live long in the memory, including four in the quarter-final shootout win against Cape Verde as he captained South Africa to the bronze medal.

The 32-year-old helped his club Mamelodi Sundowns set a joint record low of just 11 goals conceded in 30 games in the South African Premiership as they eased to a seventh domestic league title in succession.

AS FAR and Morocco international forward, Sanaâ Mssoudy won the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year having claimed the Best Player award at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Lamine Camara of Senegal and Monaco was the Men’s Young Player of the Year as the versatile box-to-box midfielder shone for club and country with his dynamic displays.

Doha El Madani of AS FAR and Morocco won the Women’s Young Player of the Year as the 19-year-old secured the Golden Boot at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League with six goals in five matches.

The Men’s Coach of the Year went to Emerse Fae after he led Cote d’Ivoire from the brink of elimination to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in one of the great global sports stories of 2024.

Moroccan tactician Lamia Boumehdi was named Women’s Coach of the Year as she led TP Mazembe from the DR Congo to the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title with a win over AS FAR in the decider.

Cote d’Ivoire’s continental crown saw them named Men’s National Team of the Year, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons were the Women’s National Team of the Year.

Al Ahly’s fourth TotalEnergies CAF Champions League win in five years made them worthy winners of Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe took home the Women’s Club of the Year.

Goal of the Year was won by Angola’s Mabululu for his audacious finish against Namibia at the continental finals in Cote d’Ivoire. This was the only award voted for by fans.

In line with the commitment of CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe at last year’s event, match officials were also honoured at the 2024 CAF Awards.

Mutaz Ibrahim of Libya was named Men’s Referee of the Year, while Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi was Women’s Referee of the Year.

Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue of Cameroon was awarded Men’s Assistant Referee of the Year and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha the Women’s Assistant Referee of the Year.

The Men’s CAF-FIFPRO Africa Best XI for Men and women were also named and honoured the top performers from the continent in each position.

2024 CAF AWARDS WINNERS:

Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

Women’s Player of the Year Barbra Banda (Zambia)

Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire)

Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe; Moroccan)

Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)

Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns/South Africa)

Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanâa Mssoudy (AS FAR/Morocco)

Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal)

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (AS FAR/Morocco)

Men’s National Team of the Year: Côte d’Ivoire

Women’s National Team of the Year Super Falcons of Nigeria

Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly (Egypt)

Women’s Club of the Year TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Goal of the Year: Mabululu (Goal for Angola against Namibia)

Best Referee (Women): Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)

Best Referee (Men): Elvis Guy Nguegoue (Cameroon)

Best 11 Women: Andile Dlamini; Michelle Alozie; Karabo Dhlamini; Osinachi Ohale; Lebohang Ramalepe; Linda Motlhalo; Rasheedat Ajibade; Ghizlane Chebbak; Barbra Banda; Asisat Oshoala; Tabitha Chawingwa

Best 11 Men: Andre Onana; Achraf Hakimi; Khalidou Koulibaly; Chancel Mbemba; Mohammed Kudus; Sofyan Amrabat; Franck Kessie; Yves Bissouma; Mohamed Salah; Victor Osimhen; Ademola Lookman

Outstanding Achievement Award: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (Egypt) and; President Paul Biya (Cameroon).(NAN)

News

Police confirm death of youth in A’Ibom

Published

4 minutes ago

February 26, 2025

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Police confirm death of youth in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of a youth in a crisis that erupted in Ette, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Timfon John, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikot Abasi.

She said that the crisis started on Tuesday night in Ette when an army man was pursuing a boy in the community and was descended on by a mob.

‘’In an attempt to escape the mob action, the army man fired and shot one of the villagers; both the army and the villager are receiving treatment in a hospital.

‘’The situation is under control and investigation has commenced to unravel the perpetrators of the crime,’’ John said.

A source, who refused to mention his name, told NAN that the crisis was as a result of the alleged killing of a local boy by an army man attached to an oil company in Ikot Abasi.

He said that there had been a protest by the youths in the area demanding that the military should focus on their duty to the company and not target the innocent citizens.

He said that the Tuesday crisis led to the burning of five trucks, a bus and a Hilux belonging to the company.

The source said that the crisis led to the blocking of East-West Road leading to Port Harcourt, forcing motorists to divert to other routes for safety. (NAN)

News

BREAKING; Dangote announces significant reduction in petrol price per litre

Published

57 minutes ago

February 26, 2025

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BREAKING; Dangote announces significant reduction in petrol price per litre

Dangote reduces petrol price Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has once again reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, marking the second price cut this month.

The company disclosed this in statement signed by its Head of Media Communications, Mr Anthony Echiejina, Wednesday in Lagos.

It explained that the company had reduced the price by N65, from the previous N890 per litre, bringing it down to N825 per litre at the gantry (ex-depot).

This follows a N60 reduction earlier in February.

The company noted that the ex-depot price had dropped from N950 per litre in January to N825 per litre, reflecting a N125 reduction over the past 26 days.

“This recent price adjustment is expected to ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos.

“The new price will take effect from Thursday, February 27, and is aimed at providing much-needed relief to Nigerians, particularly in light of the upcoming Ramadan season.

“This strategic price adjustment is designed to offer essential relief to Nigerians during Ramadan while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policies by easing the financial burden on the populace,” the statement read.

It further highlighted that Dangote Petroleum Refinery had consistently lowered petrol and other refined petroleum product prices for the benefit of Nigerians.

The statement said that this price reduction marked the second time this month that PMS prices had been slashed, following a N60 decrease earlier in February.

It said, “In December 2024, during the holiday season, the refinery reduced petrol prices by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its ongoing commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief during the festive period.”

The refinery emphasised that previous reductions had a positive impact on the overall cost of living and helped prevent the typical fuel shortages and price hikes associated with the holiday season.

Dangote also assured that its high-quality products, which had gained popularity both domestically and internationally, would remain available nationwide through its key partners, MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden, at market-friendly rates.

The statement outlined the following prices for Dangote petrol at various retail outlets:

MRS Holdings stations: N860 per litre in Lagos, N870 in the South-West, N880 in the North, and N890 in the South-South and South-East regions.

AP (Ardova Petroleum) and Heyden stations: N865 per litre in Lagos, N875 in the South-West, N885 in the North, and N895 in the South-South and South-East regions.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery also assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

It called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians are the primary beneficiaries of these efforts.

It emphasised that such collective actions would contribute to the broader economic recovery plan, spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and positioning the country as a major oil export hub.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has successfully exported its products to Europe, America, Asia, and other regions, recently supplied jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

The refinery has confirmed it holds over 500 million litres of petrol in storage, enough to meet Nigeria’s petrol demand for several days.

Additionally, the refinery’s capacity of 650,000 barrels per day surpasses Nigeria’s average daily petrol requirement of 385,000 barrels. (NAN)

News

Command CP orders removal of DPO over crime rate

Published

2 hours ago

February 26, 2025

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Command CP orders removal of DPO over crime rate

Delta State’s Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has announced the redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogwashi-Uku.

The redeployment follows a disturbing surge in kidnappings and armed robberies in the area.

The decision came in response to widespread complaints circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, highlighting the worsening security situation in Ogwashi-Uku, located in Aniocha South LGA.

In an effort to tackle the rising crime rates, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations, Aina Adesola, has been tasked with deploying tactical units to the region.

These units include specialized teams such as Dragon Patrol, Eagle-Net, and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), which have been strategically positioned to combat criminal activities.

Additionally, the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad (SAKCCS) has been directed to relocate to Ogwashi-Uku, adopting an intelligence-driven strategy to track down, arrest, and prosecute those behind the criminal acts.

The State Intelligence Department (SID) has also been mobilized to conduct undercover operations and gather critical intelligence to further disrupt the criminal network in the area.

Abaniwonda reassured Delta residents of his unwavering commitment to ensuring their safety, emphasizing that the security of lives and property remains the police’s top priority.

He urged the public to stay alert, report any suspicious activity, and collaborate with law enforcement to help restore peace.

For immediate security concerns, the police command has provided emergency contact numbers: 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914.

The Police Commissioner also warned criminals that Delta State would not tolerate lawlessness, promising zero tolerance for criminal activities.