Despite the potent threat that Ademola Lookman poses to Gernot Rohr’s dream of leading the Cheetahs of Benin Republic to the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the former Nigeria manager has anointed the Atalanta forward to be crowned as the Africa Footballer of the Year next month in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigerian publication The Nation quoted Rohr as saying: “For me, Lookman is the best one in Africa to win the golden award for footballer of the year; he is a fantastic player.”

Incidentally, it was Lookman who spearheaded the damage that Rohr is now trying to control.

His team, facing the Super Eagles on Thursday night, stands the risk of missing out at the Africa Cup of Nations should they succumb to a second Super Eagles’ defeat and Rwanda beat Libya in Kigali.

Lookman opened the scoring and ended with a brace in the 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in Uyo in September. He is on fire to impress further to assert his claim to the African crown.

 “ But  I hope he will not score against us (on Thursday)  like he did in the last game in Uyo”, The Nation quoted Rohr as saying

The CAF Awards will no longer be held in Marrakech. According to Morocco World News report, there has been a switch of venues.

The event was initially set to take place in the city of ‘red walls and sandstone buildings’ – Marrakech, the same city that held it last year.  

But it will now be held in Rabat on December 16 at the stunning Mohammed VI Grand Theatre.

According to Morocco World News, the French Football Federation suggested the change of venue of the CAF Awards.

Rabat’s new theatre has cutting-edge facilities and a striking design after the French President, Emmanuel Macron, saw it first hand on his recent visit to Morocco.

This is a smart move as the CAF Awards will be putting on full display one of Morocco’s world-class venues while the country hopes to host more major sports events down the line.

Among the nominees, Moroccan stars Ashraf Hakimi and Sofiane Rahimi are in the race for Africa’s Best Player, while Yassine Bounou and Brahim Diaz have been snubbed despite a stellar season with their respective clubs — Al Hilal and Real Madrid. 

Last week, Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron inaugurated the Grand Theater that King Mohammed VI set in motion in 2006 with a whooping budget of MAD 1.677 billion ($170 million). Considered a cultural powerhouse, the theater houses  a 7,000-seat amphitheater, a 1,900-seat auditorium, and a stunning 7.1-hectare layout. 

Morocco is ready to welcome Africa’s best footballers and managers, and show the world its new star venue.

The CAF Awards Awards2024 will be hosted in the tourist city of Marrakech, Morocco, on 16 December 2024, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced.

This is the third time in a row Morocco is hosting the ceremony, after a glittering star-studded African fanfare last year.

CAF will confirm the starting time of the in due course.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year is Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen (men category), with his compatriot Asisat Oshoala also claiming the honours in the women’s category.

The CAF Awards recognize exceptional performances in both club and national competitions, culminating in the prestigious titles of CAF African Player of the Year in both men’s and women’s categories.