Nigeria winger, Ademola Lookman, was on Monday crowned the 2024 CAF Footballer of the Year for the Men’s category.
DAILY POST reports that the Atalanta star was announced as the winner at an event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.
Lookman beat the likes of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy to the prestigious award.
The 27-year-old succeeded fellow compatriot, Victor Osimhen, who won the award last year.
Lookman began his senior professional career back in 2015 at Charlton Athletic in the Championship and League One.
He spent two seasons with Charlton Athletic before joining Everton in 2017.
Lookman, who was born in Wandsworth, England, had an underwhelming period in the Premier League with Everton which saw his career threaten to drift away after a bright start at Charlton.
Everton eventually loaned him to RB Leipzig where he enjoyed a positive loan spell with the Bundesliga side in the 2017-18 season, scoring five goals in 11 appearances.
But Lookman could not settle well at RB Leipzig after making the move permanent in the 2019-20 season.
He then returned to the Premier League temporarily on loan at Fulham in the 2020-21 season and Leicester City in the 2021-22 campaign, respectively.
Lookman struggled to establish himself in the Premier League, but his permanent switch to Atalanta in 2022 prompted a turnaround in fortunes for him as he is now one of Europe’s potent attackers.
Representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria was also another turning point in his career as he led the three-time African champions to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.
Speaking recently about the turning point in his career, Lookman pinpointed his time with the Super Eagles.
“That was really the big turning point in my career also. Ever since I have put on the Super Eagles jersey it’s been fruitful,” Lookman said.
Lookman made a big impact for Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON played earlier this year in Cote d’Ivoire.
The former Leicester City star scored three goals and provided one assist at the 2023 AFCON with the Super Eagles finishing in second position after losing to the host nation, Ivory Coast.
He also netted a historic hat-trick for Atalanta in the final of the UEFA Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top-flight goals for Atalanta.
He was ranked the 14th best player in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings released in October.
Lookman’s latest achievement has further consolidated Nigeria’s presence on the continent as a nation with various talents.
Speaking after being named CAF Player of the Year, Lookman said at the awards ceremony: “This award is for me, my family, my nation and to be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible. I am extremely proud.
“To the young children and people watching this, don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings.
“Turn your pain into your power and continue to fly.”
Speaking with DAILY POST, Isa Saleh, co-founder of Borno Junior League, urged Lookman to keep improving on his performances for both club and country.
He added that the former RB Leipzig star should use his latest achievement as a morale booster to do better going forward.
“A big congratulations to Lookman. He has made Nigeria proud. Obviously he really deserved the award.
“I just hope he keeps improving and does better this season. This award will surely boost his morale to keep doing more for the Super Eagles and for his club side,” he said.
When asked who he feels would win the next CAF Player of the Year award, Saleh added: “Honestly speaking I can’t really say because the season is still quite early.
“[Mohamed] Salah is doing very well at Liverpool at the moment and he is the favourite so far for the next CAF Player of the Year award, but I would like a Nigerian player to win it again just like how Osimhen won it last year and now Lookman this year.
“Lookman is on track to retain the award too. He is doing fine at Atalanta already.
“Osimhen is also not doing badly. He could win the Turkish League and if he can lead Nigeria to win the next AFCON, then he has a chance to win another CAF Player of the Year award,” he further stated.
