Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year.
The 27-year-old secured the prestigious award at a dazzling ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Lookman triumphed over strong competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to claim the coveted title.
Lookman’s victory adds his name to the illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have won the award, joining legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).
His win marks Nigeria’s sixth triumph in the award’s history, as he takes over the mantle from Osimhen, the 2023 winner.
The Atalanta star enjoyed a phenomenal season for both club and country.
Notably, Lookman delivered a stunning hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final, a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite forwards.
On the international stage, Lookman played a key role in the Super Eagles’ impressive run to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals during the tournament.
This season, he has maintained his outstanding form, registering 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta.
His remarkable contributions include a crucial goal against UEFA Champions League record winners Real Madrid, further cementing his reputation as a standout performer on the biggest stage.
