Victoria Mbangwa
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, marking a remarkable achievement in the 27-year-old’s career. The Atalanta attacker was honored at a prestigious ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, edging out stiff competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
Lookman’s triumph is particularly special as it makes him the latest Nigerian footballer to claim the coveted title, following in the footsteps of legends such as Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen. His win brings Nigeria’s total tally of African Footballer of the Year awards to six.
What sets Lookman apart this year is his stellar performances for both club and country. At the club level, the winger played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s success, including a spectacular hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, which helped elevate him to the ranks of Europe’s finest attackers. His form has continued into the 2024 season, with 11 goals and five assists in just 18 appearances for Atalanta.
On the international stage, Lookman was integral to Nigeria’s impressive run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where his three goals contributed to the Super Eagles’ second-place finish. His standout moments included crucial goals against top-tier teams, notably a memorable strike against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Lookman’s victory represents not just individual brilliance, but also a sign of the growing influence of Nigerian players in international football. His achievement further solidifies the nation’s rich legacy in African football and reaffirms Lookman’s status as one of the continent’s top talents.
