Ademola Lookman’s 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year win highlights Nigeria’s rich football heritage. Joining legends like Osimhen, Kanu, and Yekini, Lookman’s stellar performances for Nigeria and Atalanta earned him a prestigious accolade. His triumph underscores Nigeria's dominance in African football and inspires future generations.
Ademola Lookman clinched the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year award on December 16 in Morocco, solidifying his place among Nigeria's football greats. His exceptional performances both at club and international levels earned him the prestigious accolade, adding to Nigeria’s illustrious history in African football.
Lookman’s contributions during Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign were pivotal. He scored crucial goals, including a match-winner in the quarterfinals against Angola, ensuring Nigeria’s progression to the semifinals. At club level, Lookman starred for Atalanta, ending a 117-year European trophy drought with a historic hat-trick in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final.
The victory marked back-to-back wins for Nigeria at the CAF Awards, following Victor Osimhen’s triumph in 2023. Osimhen had broken a 24-year drought for Nigeria, thanks to his prolific goal-scoring for Napoli, leading them to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Other iconic Nigerian winners include Nwankwo Kanu, who claimed the award twice (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba in 1997, Emmanuel Amuneke in 1994, and Rashidi Yekini, the first Nigerian to win it in 1993.
As the Super Eagles continue to soar, Lookman’s achievement adds another chapter to Nigeria's storied football legacy.