Ademola Lookman Wins CAF Player of The Year
Ademola Lookman has officially been crowned African Player of the Year! The Super Eagles star is flying high after an incredible 2024 season, and honestly, we can’t stop buzzing about it. The cherry on top? Nigeria’s dominance on the CAF Awards stage didn’t stop there!
Let’s break it down: The 2024 CAF Awards, held in Marrakech, Morocco, was a big night for Nigerian football. Ademola Lookman stepped into the spotlight, taking home Africa’s top football prize and becoming the seventh Nigerian to snag the award. I mean, how cool is that? Last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen, set the stage for Nigerian excellence, and Lookman just kept the streak alive.
Why Lookman Deserved the Crown
Lookman’s year has been nothing short of legendary. First off, he was on fire during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year. With three goals and two assists, he played a major role in pushing Nigeria all the way to the AFCON final. But he wasn’t done yet. Fast forward to May, and Lookman scored a sensational hat-trick for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. That performance? Straight-up historic!
This season, the Atalanta forward has kept the magic going. With 11 goals and 5 assists in just 18 matches, he’s been tearing up every competition, even finding the net against Real Madrid in the Champions League. That’s the kind of stuff legends are made of.
The Competition Was Tough
Lookman didn’t just stroll into the win. Oh no, there was some serious competition. Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s goal machine Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams all brought their A-game. But in the end, Lookman’s brilliance stood out.
Nigeria’s Winning Legacy Continues
By taking this year’s title, Nigeria now has seven African Player of The Year awards, pulling ahead of Ivory Coast. Lookman joins the ranks of Nigerian football royalty, including legends like Nwankwo Kanu, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, and last year’s hero, Victor Osimhen. Fun fact: only Cameroon has more wins, with 11. Don’t worry, we’re coming for that record!
Super Falcons and Chiamaka Nnadozie Steal the Spotlight
The night wasn’t just about Lookman. The Super Falcons bagged the Women’s National Team of the Year award, proving once again that they’re the queens of African football. These ladies stayed on top of the FIFA African rankings and showed why they’re the best of the best.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s superstar goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, defended her title as the Goalkeeper of the Year. That’s two years in a row! Although she missed out on the Women’s Player of the Year award (which went to Zambia’s Barbara Banda), Nnadozie’s contributions were massive. She played a key role in helping Nigeria qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.
Other Highlights from the CAF Awards Night
Sure, Nigeria brought home the gold, but there were plenty of other winners to celebrate. Here are some of the highlights:
- Men’s Team of the Year: Ivory Coast (AFCON champions)
- Men’s Young Player of the Year: Senegal’s Lamine Camara
- Women’s Young Player of the Year: Egypt’s Doha El Madani
- Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): South Africa’s Ronwen Williams
- Goal of the Year: Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu
- Coach of the Year (Men): Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae
- Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Ademola Lookman’s CAF Player of the Year win feels like a major win not just for him, but for every Nigerian football fan. His stellar performances on the pitch have been unreal, and his story is the perfect example of hard work paying off. Plus, with Nnadozie and the Super Falcons keeping Nigeria in the spotlight, it’s clear that our football talent is unmatched.
