Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned African Player of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards. The announcement was made during a star-studded ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, which honored the finest talents across African football.
Lookman, who plays for Serie A side Atalanta, enjoyed a remarkable year, wowing fans with his extraordinary skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing. His contributions were pivotal to both Atalanta’s success in Italy’s top flight and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 26-year-old’s impressive performances were not confined to the domestic stage. Lookman shone in European competition, delivering crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League, including a historic hat-trick in the final. His standout display came in May when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, ending the Bundesliga champions’ 51-game unbeaten streak and securing Atalanta’s first European trophy.
Lookman faced stiff competition for the award, edging out Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the top honor. His consistency, determination, and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments solidified his place as one of Africa’s brightest stars.
Speaking at the event, Lookman expressed gratitude to those who supported him along the way. “This award is for my teammates, my family, and the incredible fans who have always believed in me,” he said.
The 2024 CAF Awards highlighted a defining year for Lookman, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most influential players and a role model for aspiring footballers across Africa.
