Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has taken over from Victor Osimhen as the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2024. Lookman, now 27, was awarded the prestigious honor during the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16.
Lookman, currently playing for Atalanta, emerged as the winner after a standout 2023-2024 season. His competition included top contenders like Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Football fans widely believed Lookman was the most deserving nominee.
The former Leicester City winger had a phenomenal season with Atalanta, helping them secure their first-ever UEFA Europa League title. Lookman became the first player in history to score a hat-trick in the final, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over German giants Bayer Leverkusen.
During the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, Lookman was crucial for Nigeria, scoring key goals that led the Super Eagles to a second-place finish behind the hosts. Last season, Lookman netted 17 goals and provided 10 assists, proving his consistency and goal-scoring ability. This season, he’s continued to shine, scoring 11 goals and adding 5 assists in 19 games across all competitions.
Key stats for Lookman in 2024:
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Over 20 Man of the Match awards
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Reached the AFCON Final
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Scored a brace in the AFCON Round of 16
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Scored the winner in the AFCON Quarterfinal
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Named to the AFCON Team of the Tournament
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Hat-trick in the Europa League final
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Only African nominee for the 2024 Ballon d’Or
Lookman’s performance and achievements continue to solidify his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
