CAF Awards: “We became happier” — Kanu Nwankwo appreciates Ademola Lookman

By Monsurah Olatunji

Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ademola Lookman for his remarkable achievement in being crowned African Player of the Year 2024.

Kanu, a two-time Africa Player of the Year, expressed admiration for Lookman’s dedication, which he believes played a crucial role in his success.

Lookman, who triumphed over strong contenders like PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Brighton’s Simon Adingra, and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, had an outstanding 2023/24 season.

He led Atalanta to UEFA Europa League glory, becoming the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a final and securing the club’s first-ever European title.

On the international stage, the 27-year-old helped the Super Eagles reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, contributing three goals and earning a place in the tournament’s Team of the Tournament.

Kanu, who himself was honored as Africa’s best player in 1996 and 1999, took to social media to share a message of appreciation for Lookman.

He commended the Atalanta star’s dedication and commitment to both his national team and club, attributing these qualities to Lookman’s well-deserved success.

“Dear Lookman, millions on our continent were happy each time you exhibited your God-given talents on the football pitch in Europe; we became happier the day you were crowned King of African Football,” Kanu wrote in a message as per Blueprint.

Kanu also expressed personal pride in Lookman’s achievement, acknowledging the significance of the award for both Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“Your dedication and commitment to both National and your club side earned you this achievement. I am personally proud of you, and I believe this award will help the younger generation to strive hard and not be discouraged in the face of challenges,” Kanu continued.

Reflecting on his own experience of winning the prestigious award twice, Kanu emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work, inspiring others to follow in Lookman’s footsteps.

“Having won the Prestigious Awards twice in 1999 and 1996, I know what it means to the entire continent and Nigerians in particular. We can make it! We can achieve it, the way Ademola Lookman achieved it.”

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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