Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year at a ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
The 27-year-old edged out strong contenders including Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Ronwen Williams of South Africa to claim the coveted award.
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Lookman’s achievement places him among an elite group of Nigerian footballers who have received the prestigious accolade. He joins legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner.
His victory also marks Nigeria’s sixth triumph in the award’s history, as he succeeds Osimhen to hold the mantle.
The Atalanta forward enjoyed a stellar season for both club and country. His standout moment came in the Europa League final, where he netted a remarkable hat-trick to propel Atalanta to victory, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s top forwards.
On the international stage, Lookman was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three crucial goals during the tournament.
Lookman has carried his exceptional form into the current season, tallying 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta. Among his standout contributions was a decisive goal against record UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, further underlining his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
