By Habeebat Olushile
Nigerian football fans have reason to celebrate as two Super Eagles players, William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman, have been shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA Best Awards 2024. The nominees were announced on Friday, and the Nigerian duo will compete against some of the world’s top footballers in their respective categories.
Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, has been nominated for the Best Attacker award. He will face stiff competition from high-profile players like Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Super Eagles stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong has been named in the Best Defender category, alongside notable players like William Saliba, Manuel Akanji, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Carvajal.
The FIFA Best Awards 2024 have also recognized the achievements of Nigerian female footballers. Asisat Oshoala, a multiple-time winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, has been nominated for the newly-introduced Marta Award. This prize honors the best goal in women’s football.
Additionally, Southampton forward Paul Onuachu has earned a place in the male version of the award, the Puskas.
The FIFA Best Awards 2024 ceremony will be a highly anticipated event, celebrating the outstanding achievements of footballers around the world. Nigerian football fans will be eagerly waiting to see if their favorite players will emerge victorious in their respective categories.
