Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned the African Player of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football Awards.
The announcement was made during a dazzling ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, which celebrated the best talent in African football.
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, had an outstanding year, captivating fans with his remarkable skills, blistering pace, and clinical finishing.
He was a key figure in both Atalanta’s success in Serie A and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His notable performances, including vital goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistent excellence in domestic competitions, firmly established him as one of Africa’s rising stars.
Lookman triumphed over stiff competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious honor.
As reported by PUNCH Online in October, Lookman secured the 14th spot in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.
In May, Lookman made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final, as Atalanta stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, ending their 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lookman dedicated his award to his teammates, family, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.