Sports

BREAKING: Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman Claims CAF Player Of The Year

Published

4 hours ago

Dec 16, 2024.

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, continuing Nigeria’s dominance in African football.

The 27-year-old succeeds compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking the first back-to-back wins for Nigerians since the 1990s.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Lookman is now the sixth Nigerian to win the prestigious award, joining legends like Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999).

This victory also makes it the seventh time a Nigerian has claimed the honour, underscoring the country’s rich football heritage.

The award caps off a phenomenal year for Lookman, who delivered stellar performances for both Atalanta and Nigeria. His crowning achievement at the club level came in the UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a hattrick to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European title.

He carried this momentum into the Serie A and UEFA Champions League campaigns, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

On the international stage, Lookman played a crucial role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, contributing three goals and an assist as the Super Eagles reached the final.

His efforts earned him global recognition, including a top-14 finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings and a nomination for the Globe Soccer Awards.

The competition for the CAF award was fierce, with Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi emerging as Lookman’s closest rival.

Hakimi enjoyed a strong year with Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1 and helping Morocco secure a historic Olympic bronze. However, Lookman’s exceptional 33-goal contributions for club and country outshone all challengers.

Lookman CAF Player Of The Year

Ademola Lookman’s triumph not only highlights his brilliance but also reaffirms Nigeria’s position as a powerhouse in African football, inspiring future generations of players.