Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year.
The 27-year-old clinched the prestigious award at a glittering ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
The Nigerian star edged out tough competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to claim the prestigious title.
Lookman’s victory adds his name to the illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have won the award, joining legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).
His win marks Nigeria’s sixth triumph in the award’s history, as he takes over the mantle from Osimhen, the 2023 winner.
The Atalanta star enjoyed a phenomenal season for both club and country.
Notably, Lookman delivered a stunning hat-trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final, a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite forwards.
On the international stage, he played a crucial role in the Super Eagles’ journey to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, netting three goals during the tournament.
This season, Lookman has continued his exceptional form, recording 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta.
His remarkable contributions include a crucial goal against record UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, further showcasing his quality on the biggest stage.