Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, Ademola Lookman has won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year for 2024.
Lookman, 27, emerged as the winner of the prize during the 2024 CAF Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, becoming the seventh (7th) Nigerian to achieve the feat following Rashidi Yekini (1993) and Emmanuel Amunike (1994).
Others are Nwankwo Kanu, who clinched the award twice (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997) and Victor Osimhen (2023), thus Nigerians have claimed the honour in second consecutive year.
He won the award ahead of Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinean Serhou Guirassy and the goalkeeper of South Africa, Ronwen Williams.
“Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa,” the Nigerian international said.
He was on top of his game last season, scoring 17 goals in 45 appearances and leading Italian side, Atalanta to the UEFA Europa League success.
He also aided Gian Piero Gasperini’s side to secure a UEFA Champions League place, and won Atalanta Player of the 2023/2024 Season as well as the UEFA Europa League Team of the same season.
The former RB Leipzig player also had a good outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), making the Team of the Tournament as Nigeria finished as runner-up.
Lookman has continued on his blistering form in the ongoing season, having recorded 16 goal involvements in all competitions. He has netted 8 times in the Serie A and found the back of the net on 3 occasions in the UEFA Champions League.
Similarly, he amassed 5 assists, 4 in the Italian top-flight and 1 in the UEFA Champions League.
