Nigerian football sensation, Ademola Lookman, has been crowned the African Player of the Year at the 2024 Confederation of African Football Awards.
The prestigious event, held in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrated the finest achievements in African football.
The Atalanta forward enjoyed a phenomenal year, showcasing his exceptional talent, electrifying speed, and precision in front of goal.
Lookman played a crucial role in his club’s impressive Serie A campaign and Nigeria’s successful qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In addition to his domestic performances, Lookman’s remarkable displays in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored decisive goals, cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s standout players.
He made history in May by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen, ending the Bundesliga champions’ unprecedented 51-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Lookman faced stiff competition for the award, edging out Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams to claim the top honor.
In October, Lookman ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, further highlighting his exceptional form this year.
During the award ceremony, Lookman expressed his gratitude, saying, “I dedicate this award to my teammates, family, and the fans who have supported me throughout my career.”
Other Award Winners:
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, for the second consecutive year)
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 Faé (Cote d’Ivoire)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Goal of the Year: Cristóvão Mabululu (Angola)
The event was a fitting tribute to Africa’s brightest stars, with Lookman leading the celebrations as a beacon of excellence in the continent’s football scene.
