Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year, confirming his status as one of Africa’s best footballers.

The 27-year-old Nigerian forward, who plays for Atalanta in Italy, was honoured for his outstanding performances with both his club and the Super Eagles.

Lookman’s consistency in the year under review made him the clear choice for the prestigious award, which was presented at the CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech.

Early this year, at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February, he scored three goals and provided two assists, helping Nigeria reach the final. Although the Super Eagles lost to Côte d’Ivoire in a closely contested match.

At club level, he was equally impressive. He played a key role in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

His form across all competitions has been exceptional, with 11 goals and five assists in just 18 appearances. He also scored a memorable goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman beat other nominees such as Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Simon Adingra of Côte d’Ivoire, Serhou Guirassy of Guinea, and Ronwen Williams of South Africa. However, none matched Lookman’s impact this year.

Lookman’s win adds to Nigeria’s rich history in African football. He follows in the footsteps of Victor Osimhen, who won the award in 2023, and other Nigerian legends like Nwankwo Kanu, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Victor Ikpeba.