The 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year is Ademola Lookman, a forward for the Super Eagles and Atalanta.
At a lavish ceremony on Monday at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, the 27-year-old secured the esteemed honor.
To win the coveted title, the Nigerian player defeated fierce opposition from Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG).
Lookman’s triumph places him alongside legendary Nigerian football players like Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023) on the distinguished list of award winners.
He succeeds Osimhen, the 2023 winner, and his victory makes Nigeria’s sixth victory in the history of the prize.
The Atalanta player had a tremendous season for his team and nation.
Additionally, Lookman solidified his status as one of Europe’s top forwards with a spectacular hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final.
On the international scene, he scored three goals during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, helping the Super Eagles advance to a second-place finish.
Lookman has maintained his outstanding play this season, making 18 appearances for Atalanta in all competitions and tallying 11 goals and five assists.
His outstanding performances on the highest stage include a pivotal goal against Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions.