CAF AWARDS: BARBRA BANDA WINS WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the winner of the Women’s Player of the Year award at the CAF Awards ceremony. Barbra Banda, the talented Zambian forward, has emerged as the winner of this prestigious award.
Banda had an incredible year, making history at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first women’s soccer player to score three hat-tricks in the tournament. She also led Orlando Pride to their first NWSL championship, scoring 13 goals, including one in the final.
Competition for the Award
The competition for the Women’s Player of the Year award was fierce, with several top African players vying for the top spot. The nominees for the award included:
- Barbra Banda of Zambia
- Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria
- Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa
- Fatoumata Diarra of Mali
Reaction from Barbra Banda
Banda expressed her gratitude and excitement after receiving the award. “I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” she said. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my teammates, coaches, and family. I am honored to be recognized as the best women’s player in Africa, and I will continue to work hard to maintain my position at the top.”
CAF Awards Ceremony
The CAF Awards ceremony was held in Marrakech, Morocco, and was attended by top football officials, players, and coaches from across the continent. The ceremony recognized and celebrated the achievements of African footballers, coaches, and teams over the past year.
Other Winners at the CAF Awards
Other winners at the CAF Awards included:
Womenโs Player of the Year
- ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐
Goal of the Year
- Cristovao ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐น๐๐น๐
The CAF FIFPRO Men’s Best XI includes:
1. Andre Onana (Cameroon) – Goalkeeper
2. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – Defender
3. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo) – Defender
4. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) – Midfielder
5. Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast) – Midfielder
6. Mohamed Kudus (Ghana) – Midfielder
7. Yves Bissouma (Mali) – Midfielder
8. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Forward
9. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – Forward
10. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Forward
11. Moussa Houmabal (Mali) – Forward
The Menโs Coach of the Year
- ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐๐.
Womenโs Coach of the Year!
- ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐ข
Menโs Goalkeeper of the Year
- ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฐ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐ฌ
Womenโs Goalkeeper of the Year
- ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐จ๐ณ๐ข๐
The Womenโs Interclub Player of the year
- ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ
Menโs Interclub Player of the year is
- ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฐ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐ฌ!
Menโs Young Player of the Year
- ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ (Senegal)
Womenโs Young Player of the Year
- ๐๐จ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ข (Morocco)
The Menโs National Team of the Year award goes to the harmonious
- ๐รด๐ญ๐ ๐’๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ซ๐
The Womenโs National Team of the Year
- ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐
The Menโs Club of the Year is
- ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ ๐
TheWomenโs Club of the Year
- ๐๐ ๐๐๐ณ๐๐ฆ๐๐
Conclusion
Barbra Banda’s win as the Women’s Player of the Year is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. The CAF Awards ceremony was a celebration of African football excellence, and Banda’s win will surely inspire and motivate other African players to strive for greatness.
