Ademola Lookman claims 2024 CAF Player of the year award

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward, Ademola Lookman have emerged winner of the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the year.

The Atlanta forward who was the only Africa player on the Ballon d’Or’s list won the award during the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco on Monday.

He beat the likes of Simon Adingra (Cote D’Ivoire), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Giurassy, and Ronwen Williams (South Africa) to the top prize.

After Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo (twice), and Victor Osimhen, Lookman won Nigeria’s seventh top prize for individual player on the continent.

His heroics helped Italian side, Atalanta to win the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League.

At national team level, the former English youth international was Super Eagles highest goal scorer as the team reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire losing to the host.

After receiving his award, Lookman started his speech in Yoruba language.

“Ekaale. Nigeria. Mo n ki gbogbo yin. E se. Mo dupe,” meaning “Good evening. Nigeria. I greet you all. Thank you. I am grateful.

“First I want to thank Almighty God for everything. I want to thank the Federation President, and my teammates for their supports.

“This award is for my nation as the best in Africa. I want to say to the young children and everyone, don’t let your failure pull you down. God bless.”

Overall, Nigeria got shortlisted in five categories winning three; national team of the year women (Super Falcons), goalkeeper of the year women (Chiamaka Nnadozie), and CAF Player of the year men (Ademola Lookman).

Chiamaka Okwuchukwu of Rivers Angels and U-20 women’s national team lost the young player of the year to Moroccan player, Doha El Madani.

Edo Queens quest of winning the CAF Women’s Club of the year was truncated by TP Mazembe which smiled home with the prize.

Nnadozie could not win a double As Zambian international, Barbra Banda won the women’s player of the year award.