Nigerian forward player Ademola Lookman has been recognised as CAF Men’s Footballer of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards held in Marrakech. The soccer player has been recognised with the title ahead of Hakimi.
Lookman is the member of the national team of Nigeria and was crowned with the award after consistently thriving with Italian outfit Atlanta FC and his national side in the past twelve months.
Ademola, the player aged 27 has become the second Nigerian footballer to win this award after Victor Osimen, who received the feat in 2023.
He conquered this award after brushing off competition from several other nominees for the award that featured Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi, South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy and Brighton’s Ivorian winger Simon Adingra.
This achievement of footballer marked the first-time back-to-back win of Nigeria in the Men’s category, since the duo Nwankwo Kanu in 1996 and Victor Ikpeba in 1997, were honoured almost three decades ago.
Upon winning the trophy, Ademola Lookman said that the award is a blessing which needs to be recognised as the best player in Africa and is something incredible. He narrated, “Four years ago, my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”
Ademola Lookman is a player that truly deserve to be praised as:
- He was on no. 14 in the 2024 Ballon d’Or Rankings.
- He was the only African on the shortlist.
- He is the first Player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League Final.
- He was named as the Man of the Match.
- He was also included in the AFCON Team of the Tournament and UEFA Europa League Team of the Season.
- He also helped Nigeria and Atlanta reach the Finals of the AFCON and Coppa Atalia.
- He is the first African Player to score a hat-trick in a major European final.
- He was named as Atlanta Player of the Season.
- He has also won 6 Man of the Matches accolades at Atlanta in four months.