Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2024, succeeding compatriot Victor Osimhen.
Lookman clinched the prestigious honour at the CAF Awards ceremony held earlier today, December 16, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.
The 27-year-old Atalanta winger emerged victorious ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, in a tightly contested category. His stellar performances throughout the year positioned him as the standout choice for the award.
Lookman, who began his international career with England’s youth teams before switching allegiance to Nigeria, had an extraordinary 2023/2024 season. He was instrumental in Atalanta’s historic UEFA Europa League triumph, where they secured their first-ever title by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final. Lookman made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, solidifying his place among football’s elite.
At the international level, Lookman was a key figure in Nigeria’s campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Ivory Coast. His contributions helped the Super Eagles reach the final, where they finished as runners-up to the hosts. Lookman was also among the tournament’s highest goalscorers, earning a spot in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievements, Lookman’s 2023/2024 statistics include 17 goals and 10 assists for Atalanta, alongside a standout AFCON performance where he scored critical goals in the knockout stages. This season, the Nigerian forward has already netted 11 goals and provided five assists in 19 matches across all competitions.
Ademola Lookman’s 2024 highlights:
– Over 20 Man of the Match awards
– Reached the AFCON Final with Nigeria
– Scored a brace in the AFCON Round of 16
– Netted the winner in the AFCON Quarter-Final
– Selected for the AFCON Team of the Tournament
– Scored a hat-trick in the Europa League Final
– The only African nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or
Lookman’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as well as a proud moment for Nigerian football. It also reflects his consistency, versatility, and ability to perform on the biggest stages, both domestically and internationally.
Football enthusiasts widely tipped Lookman for the award following the release of the nominees in November. His triumph not only underscores his talent but also cements his status as one of Africa’s brightest footballing stars.
