William Troost Ekong tips Ademola Lookman for CAF Player of the Year award

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender William Troost Ekong is pitching his tent with a teammate, Ademola Lookman, to win the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award in the men’s category.

After 24 years without winning the award, Victor Osimhen broke the jinx in 2023 by winning the top individual prize in African football.

With Lookman the sole Nigeria player on the shortlist this year, Ekong is confident the Atalanta forward can retain the accolade for Nigeria.

“Not making the shortlist now. I have said before that Ademola Lookman is my favorite,” Ekong said.

“I also hope he brings it home for all of us. A win for Nigeria especially on the back of reigning African king, Victor Osimhen.”

Lookman started 2024 as the top goal scorer for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire as the team reached the final.

He also scored a hat trick in the final of the UEFA Europa League against Victor Boniface’s Bayer Leverkusen as his team won the title.

So far this season, the former Everton player has scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League and added to his eight in the Italian Serie A.