Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been named the African Player of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco.
The 26-year-old Atalanta star earned the coveted honor after a stellar year in which he showcased his exceptional skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing. Lookman was pivotal in both Atalanta's success in Serie A and Nigeria's qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His standout performances included scoring crucial goals in the UEFA Europa League and consistently delivering for his club in domestic competitions. These efforts firmly cemented Lookman as one of the brightest talents in African football.
Lookman triumphed over a competitive field, edging out Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious award.
The Nigerian’s remarkable year also saw him rank 14th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or standings.
One of Lookman's most memorable feats came in May, when he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a stunning 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. This victory not only secured the title but also ended Leverkusen's remarkable 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
At the award ceremony, Lookman dedicated the honor to his teammates, family, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career, expressing his gratitude for their unwavering belief.
Other Major Awards:
- Men’s Young Player of the Year (2nd Consecutive Year): Laminé 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
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae (Côte d'Ivoire)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
- Goal of the Year: Cristovao Mabululu (Angola)
