Ademola Lookman is Africa’s finest footballer 2024
𝙺𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚜
Ademola Lookman has cemented his status as Africa’s finest footballer by being crowned the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday night.
The Super Eagles and Atalanta striker triumphed over four other nominees to clinch the prestigious title, edging out Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and PSG), Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns), Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire and Brighton), and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and Borussia Dortmund).
The 27-year-old Lookman succeeds his compatriot Victor Osimhen and becomes the sixth Nigerian to win the award, joining the ranks of legends like Nwankwo Kanu (a two-time winner), Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba, and Osimhen.
Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Côte d’Ivoire’s Yaya Touré remain the record holders for the most wins, with four each. Other notable past winners include Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Riyad Mahrez.
Lookman’s stellar performances for Atalanta saw him become the only African nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, where he placed 14th. His remarkable form helped Atalanta secure their first-ever European trophy, the UEFA Europa League, in May. Lookman scored a historic hat-trick in the final, earning the Serie A club their second major trophy in its 117-year history.
Across the 2023-24 season, Lookman recorded 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances for Atalanta. He was also pivotal in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scoring three goals as the Super Eagles reached the final before falling to Côte d’Ivoire.
