Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been crowned Africa’s Best Player at the 2024 CAF Awards held on Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.
The Atalanta forward, who succeeded Victor Osimhen as Africa’s top footballer, delivered a stunning year that earned him the prestigious recognition.
Lookman, 27, helped Nigeria secure a runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and scored a memorable hat-trick to secure Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League victory last May — the club’s first European trophy in nearly 60 years.
He was selected ahead of Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and PSG), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and Borussia Dortmund), Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire and Brighton), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns).
Lookman becomes the sixth Nigerian to win the coveted award after Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Victor Osimhen.
The night also saw Chiamaka Nnadozie retain her Goalkeeper of the Year title, while the Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the winners, describing them as “worthy ambassadors.”
He added, “These athletes embody the essential Nigerian Spirit. They signpost the best in us as a nation. Let no one ever write us off. I am incredibly proud of them.”
However, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, despite being the 2023 AFCON MVP, was surprisingly left out of Africa’s Best XI.
Additionally, Edo Queens lost the Women’s Club of the Year award to TP Mazembe Ladies of DR Congo.
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