Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year.
The 27-year-old secured this prestigious honor at the CAF Awards ceremony, which took place on Monday at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman emerged victorious after a tough contest against notable contenders, including Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).
Ademola Lookman’s triumph places him among the elite Nigerian footballers who have claimed the prestigious CAF Award. He joins a legendary group that includes Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023). Lookman’s victory marks Nigeria’s sixth win in the history of the award, following Osimhen’s success as the 2023 recipient. ]
Lookman enjoyed an outstanding 2023/2024 season, shining both for his club and country. He made headlines with a sensational hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s top forwards. On the international front, he played a crucial role in the Super Eagles’ runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals during the tournament.
This season, Lookman has maintained his exceptional form, registering 12 goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta. His impressive performances also included a crucial goal against UEFA Champions League giants Real Madrid, further proving his ability to shine on the biggest stages.
