Ademola Lookman has been named African Player of the Year at the prestigious CAF Awards held in Marrakesh, Morocco, this past weekend.
The 27-year-old forward, who was born in London, earned the top honour following a stellar year with both Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.
Lookman’s remarkable performances for Atalanta included a memorable hat-trick in their UEFA Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
In addition to his club exploits, Lookman found the net six times for the Super Eagles throughout 2024, further cementing his reputation as a key figure in Nigerian football.
The award has drawn praise from Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, who commended Lookman.
“The CAF Award is not just about how well you play on the pitch,” Okocha told Soccer TV’s YouTube channel.
“Your attitude on the pitch, your reactions to fellow players, and your responses to coaches are all tested before we even talk about tactical performances.
“For Ademola Lookman to be awarded African Best Player of the Year, it simply means he has been examined on all these criteria and passed.”
His success at the CAF Awards not only honours his outstanding performances over the past year but also solidifies his place as one of the top talents in African football.