By Victor Onajero Gbogidi
Nigeria international Ademola Lookman has been crowned 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year, beating off strong competition from his competitors.
The award ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco saw the Atalanta striker named winner ahead of Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi, Rowen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy.
Lookman was impressive for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, leading the side to the final, where they narrowly lost to the hosts.
Lookman’s heroics for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final where he scored all three goals in their 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The Nigeria international, who was the only African nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or becomes the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award after Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Nwankwo Kanu (twice), Victor Ikpeba, and Victor Osimhen, who won it last year.