Lookman is the King of African football

Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman becomes the 6th Nigerian to win the African best player award, following a year of stellar performances for both club and country.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF men’s Player of the Year.

The 27-year-old garnered the highest votes to beat Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy to win the coveted individual prize for male African footballers.

The Atalanta winger followed the footsteps of his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, who won the prize in 2023.

The last time Nigerian players won consecutive CAF men’s best player prizes was over 27 years ago. Nwankwo Kanu won the award in 1996, and Victor Ikpeba claimed the gong the following year.

Lookman had an impressive 2023/24 season for both club and country. He scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions last season for Atalanta, including a hat trick in the final of the UEFA Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen. This feat had never been done before, helping Atalanta win their first-ever European title.

Lookman was one of Nigeria’s best players at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. He scored three goals as the Eagles won silver at the tournament. He was also named in the competition’s best XI alongside captain Willian Troost-Ekong.

This season, Lookman has been instrumental for both club and country, helping Atalanta to the top of the Serie A table, and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In October, Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, now he has become the 6^th Nigerian player – and the 7^th award won by a Nigerian – to win the African Footballer of the Year award. After Rashidi Yekini in 1993, Emmanuel Amunike in 1994, Nwankwo Kanu (twice) in 1996 and 1999, Victor Ikpeba in 1997, and Victor Osimhen in 2023