Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been named CAF’s African Footballer of the Year for 2024 after a phenomenal season with the Bergamaschi and the Super Eagles. The award, announced at the ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, sets him among the cream of the cream on the continent.
The 27-year-old Lookman had been instrumental to Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. In January, he scored three times in the space of two matches to seal Nigeria’s passage into the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast.
Speaking at the event, Lookman said, “This award is a blessing. Four years ago, my career hit a low point, but now I’m here as the best player in Africa. Never let failure stop your dreams.”
Lookman saw off competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra to become the seventh Nigerian to win the accolade, joining the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Rashidi Yekini, and Victor Osimhen.
Zambian Barbra Banda made history in securing the Women’s Player of the Year award, while Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie took Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year honors. The Women’s National Team of the Year award handed to Nigeria’s Super Falcons sealed a successful night for Nigerian football handed out by CAF.
