Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, looks set to be crowned the next African Footballer of the Year, an award currently held by fellow Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen, EKO HOT BLOG can report.
If Lookman wins the award, it will be the first time since 1999 that Nigerian players will win it back to back. Victor Ikpeba won it in 1998, and Kanu Nwankwo also clinched it in 1999. Before Osimhen took home the award in 2023, it had eluded Nigeria for almost 25 years.
However, based on all indices, permutations, and calculations, Lookman appears the overwhelming favorite among the final five-man shortlist in this year’s edition, due to his performance in the last season.
Guinean player Samuel Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund, Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton & Hove Albion), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) complete the list of five nominees.
According to Transfermarkt, Lookman was sensational for Atalanta last season, netting 11 goals and providing eight assists as he helped them secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Super Eagles attacker also scored a hat-trick in the final of the Europa League, helping Atalanta clinch their first-ever European title following a 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
Internationally, he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring three goals in seven matches and making the official Team of the Tournament.
After his 14th-place finish at the Ballon d’Or, Lookman had this to say: “I thought it was crazy when I saw my name in the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Being the only African player on the list makes it even more special,” he told France Football recently.
Some fans believe the award should be handed to him without ceremony, with @jujupunte stating, “All these are not necessary. They’re supposed to take the award straight to Lookman in his sitting room.”
Cameroon international Flavien Enzo Boyomo has also backed Super Eagles star forward Ademola Lookman to win the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award. The Blackburn Rovers youth product Boyomo believes Lookman is the favorite for the Player of the Year prize due to his exceptional performances for both club and country.
Victor Osimhen, last Nigerian to be crowned African Footballer of the Year
As the sole African nominee for the Ballon d’Or, Lookman is regarded as the frontrunner for the African Footballer of the Year award.
In a recent statement, Osasuna center-back Boyomo was quoted as saying by Actu Cameroon: “I believe Lookman will win the African Ballon d’Or. He won the Europa League and he is the one who has the best chance of winning the trophy this year.”
Ademola Lookman’s Serie A Stats for Last Season (2023/2024)
Matches Played: 31
Goals Scored: 11
Assists: 7
Shots on Target: 25
Yellow Cards: 4
Red Cards: 0
Ademola Lookman’s UEFA Europa League Stats (2023/2024)
Matches Played: 11
Goals Scored: 5
Assists: 1
Shots on Target: 9
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Lookman’s Ballon d’Or 2024 Nomination
Ademola Lookman became the only African player to be shortlisted in the final 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2024 Men’s Player of the Year award.
This is a huge boost for his quest for the African Footballer of the Year 2024, as being the only player with a nod in the men’s category recognizes his exceptional abilities in the 2023/2024 season.
It remains to be seen if he will make the final top 10 shortlist at the award ceremony, but Lookman seems to be focused now on working hard in the 2024/2025 season.
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Ademola Lookman was a game-changer for Nigeria at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. It is safe to say he played a huge role in Nigeria’s progression to the finals of the tournament against all odds.
The AFCON performance of both the player and his country would also be a huge decider in determining the winner of the African Footballer of the Year, and as of the moment, the Atalanta forward ticks the two boxes with ease.
Ademola Lookman’s Key Stats at AFCON:
Goals Scored: 3
Africa will celebrate its best players of the year at the 2024 CAF Awards to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, December 16, 2024. The prestigious event will take place at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, and the ceremony will begin at 1900 hours.
Although born and raised in England, Lookman opted to represent Nigeria at the international level and has featured in just one AFCON for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
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