In a grand ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 African Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Lookman’s victory highlights an exceptional year for the Atalanta forward, whose outstanding performances captivated fans across Europe and Africa.
Lookman’s exploits throughout 2024 solidified his place among football’s elite. He was a central figure for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A and played a crucial role in Nigeria’s successful qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The forward’s ability to combine speed, skill, and sharp finishing saw him rise above competitors on both domestic and international fronts.
His performance in the UEFA Europa League final in May was particularly noteworthy. Lookman made history by scoring a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, ending the Bundesliga champions’ staggering 51-match unbeaten streak and leading Atalanta to their first-ever European trophy.
Lookman beat out some of Africa’s brightest footballers for the coveted title. Among the finalists were Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, all of whom enjoyed impressive seasons.
The recognition comes as no surprise, given Lookman’s consistent brilliance, which also earned him a 14th-place ranking in the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or standings earlier in the year.
During his acceptance speech, Lookman expressed gratitude to his teammates, family, and fans for their unwavering support. “This award isn’t just mine—it’s for everyone who believed in me,” he remarked.
Other CAF 2024 Award Winners
The ceremony also honored outstanding achievements across African football:
Women’s Player of the Year: Barbra Banda (Zambia)
Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal)
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco)
Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (Congo)
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco)
Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Ronwen Williams
Goal of the Year: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola)
Ademola Lookman’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his career, reaffirming his status as a leading light in African football and inspiring the next generation of players on the continent.
Discover more from Destkelamedia
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.