CAF Awards 2024: Why Ademola Lookman is the favourite for the crown

By Monsurah Olatunji

Africa’s finest football talent will be celebrated at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, December 16, 2024.

With the coveted African Footballer of the Year award up for grabs, Ademola Lookman is emerging as the favourite to claim the prestigious title.

Lookman’s stellar performance for Atalanta last season has placed him firmly in the spotlight. The 27-year-old winger netted 11 goals and provided 8 assists, playing a pivotal role in securing the club’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League. His dynamic displays on the pitch were instrumental in Atalanta’s success.

A defining moment of Lookman’s season came in the Europa League final, where he scored a remarkable hat-trick to help Atalanta clinch their first-ever European title with a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. This achievement was historic, as Lookman became the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.

Although born and raised in England, Lookman chose to represent Nigeria on the international stage. He played a crucial part in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring three goals in seven matches and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

His extraordinary contributions on both the club and international fronts have earned Lookman several accolades, including nominations for the Globe Soccer Award and a place on FIFA’s radar.

The winger also claimed the Best African International Player award at the Ghana Football Awards and finished 14th in the prestigious Ballon d’Or rankings—making him the only African nominee in 2023.

If Lookman were to win the African Footballer of the Year award, it would mark the first time since 1999 that a Nigerian player has won it consecutively.

Current holder Victor Osimhen, another Nigerian footballer, claimed the title in 2023, breaking a 25-year drought for Nigeria. Before Osimhen, Nigerian legends like Victor Ikpeba (1998) and Nwankwo Kanu (1999) held the award.

Based on his outstanding form, both at the club level and with the national team, Lookman appears to be the clear frontrunner for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award, with his name topping the final shortlist.