By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), following a remarkable season for both club and country.
At the awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Lookman was honored for his exceptional contributions to Atalanta’s success, notably scoring a hat-trick in their 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final.
On the international stage, Lookman played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final earlier this year, netting three goals during the tournament.
Expressing his gratitude, the 27-year-old stated, “This award is a blessing; to be recognized as the best player in Africa is something incredible.”
Lookman becomes the seventh Nigerian to receive this prestigious accolade, following in the footsteps of past winners such as Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amunike, and last year’s recipient, Victor Osimhen.
In other categories, Zambia’s Barbra Banda was named African Women’s Player of the Year for her outstanding performances with Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
The CAF Awards celebrate the finest talents in African football, with winners determined by a panel of national team coaches, captains, and journalists.
Lookman’s achievements have not only brought pride to Nigeria but have also highlighted his status as one of Africa’s premier football talents.
