Nigerian and Atalanta (of Italy) forward, Ademola Lookman, has won the African Player of the Year award for 2024.
The 27-year-old Nigerian beat strong competition from Côte d’Ivoire and Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra.
Other contenders he beat were Borussia Dortmund and Guinea international striker Serhou Guirassy, Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
Lookman was in excellent form during this period and has been playing some of his best football in 2024. He helped his Italian Serie A club, Atalanta, become title contenders and helped them win the UEFA Europa League trophy.
This is the club’s first major trophy in 61 years.
Lookman scored a hat-trick in the final as Atalanta became the only team in the 2023–24 campaign to beat German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman produced one of the finest performances and one of the greatest final displays in European football history.
Lookman also helped Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023, where they lost to the hosts.
He played exceptionally well, scored three goals, and was also named in the Team of the Tournament. Ballon d’Or nominee Lookman is aiming for greatness.
In other awards, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie retained her title as the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for Africa.
The Super Falcons’ goalkeeper beat Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and AS FAR, and Andile Dlamini of South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns, to win the award for the second consecutive time.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria also won the National Team of the Year award.
Other Nigerian players, including Osinachi Ohale, Asisat Oshoala, and Rasheedat Ajibade, were named in the CAF Best XI for women.
