Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been named the African Male Footballer of the Year for 2024, cementing his remarkable rise in European football during a spectacular season with Atalanta.
The 27-year-old emerged victorious at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Awards held in Marrakesh, Morocco, beating out a prestigious field of competitors.
He beat competitions from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy and Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra
Lookman’s triumph continues Nigeria’s recent dominance in the prestigious award, following Victor Osimhen’s win in 2023. His selection comes after a breakthrough year that saw him make history both at the club and international levels.
A Remarkable Club Season
The Atalanta forward played a pivotal role in his Italian club’s most significant achievement to date. Lookman scored a memorable hat-trick in the European final against Bayer Leverkusen, becoming only the sixth player to achieve a treble in a European club final and the first to do so since 1975. This remarkable performance helped Atalanta secure their first-ever European trophy.
His impact extends beyond that single match. Lookman has been instrumental in Atalanta’s current season, scoring eight goals in Serie A and helping the team climb to the top of the table. His consistent performances caught international attention, leading to his inclusion on the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, where he finished an impressive 14th.
International Success
On the international stage, Lookman continued to shine. He was a standout performer at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he was named in the tournament’s team of the selection. Despite Nigeria falling short in the final to the host nation, Lookman scored three crucial goals and demonstrated his growing importance to the Super Eagles.
A Historic Achievement
Lookman becomes the seventh Nigerian player to win the African Footballer of the Year award, joining an illustrious list of predecessors. The award’s previous Nigerian winners include legendary players like Nwankwo Kanu (who won twice), Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, and Rashidi Yekini.
The winners are selected through a comprehensive voting process involving Caf’s technical committee, African media professionals, players, and coaches, ensuring a thorough and representative selection.
In the women’s category, Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda made history as the first Zambian to win the award, adding another milestone to the evening’s celebrations.
