Ademola Lookman Named African Player of the Year at 2024 CAF Awards, Celebrating a Historic Year for Nigerian Football
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has etched his name in African football history by clinching the coveted African Player of the Year title at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
The glittering ceremony, held in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrated the finest talents across the continent, with Lookman emerging as the brightest star of the night.
A Year to Remember for Lookman
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Serie A, had an exceptional year. His blistering pace, dazzling skills, and lethal finishing propelled both his club and the Nigerian national team to remarkable heights.
He was instrumental in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and Atalanta’s success in both Serie A and the UEFA Europa League. 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 the Bundesliga champions’ 51-match unbeaten run.
In October, the forward secured the 14th spot in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, further solidifying his position as one of the world’s finest footballers.
A Tough Battle for the Award
Lookman faced fierce competition for the prestigious award, edging out Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
In his acceptance speech, Lookman dedicated the award to his teammates, family, and fans, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Other Winners at the CAF Awards 2024
The night also celebrated numerous outstanding achievers:
- Women’s Player of the Year: Barbra Banda (Zambia)
- Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
- Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara (Senegal)
- Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
- Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe (Congo)
- Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé (Ivory Coast)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
- Goal of the Year: Cristóvão Mabululu (Angola)
A Golden Era for African Football
This year’s CAF Awards showcased the immense talent thriving across the continent. With Lookman’s stellar rise and Nigeria’s dominance, African football’s future continues to shine brightly.
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