Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, has been crowned the 2024 African Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Lookman clinched the prestigious award on Monday night at a ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, beating strong contenders Simon Adingra (Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund), and Achraf Hakimi (PSG).
The Nigerian forward emerged as the favorite after a stellar year where he led Atalanta to a Europa League title and helped Nigeria reach the final of AFCON 2024.
While earlier speculations suggested that Hakimi might win the award due to his league and cup double with PSG and Morocco’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Lookman’s consistent performances ultimately secured him the honor.
In his acceptance speech, Lookman thanked God, President Bola Tinubu, his teammates, and supporters. He dedicated the award to Nigeria and his family, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his career.
Encouraging young talents, Lookman advised:
“Don’t let your failure weigh you down. Turn your pains into wings and continue to fly.”The win marks a significant achievement for Lookman and further solidifies his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
