In a monumental moment for African football, Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman was named the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year at a star-studded ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman’s triumph caps off a stellar year that saw him shine as one of the continent’s most electrifying talents. The 26-year-old, who plays for Serie A club Atalanta, mesmerised fans with his dazzling skill set, blistering pace, and clinical finishing.
His remarkable performances were pivotal in Atalanta’s domestic and European success, as well as Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Notably, Lookman etched his name in football history with an extraordinary hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, guiding Atalanta to a stunning 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The win secured Atalanta the trophy and ended Leverkusen’s formidable 51-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
✨🇳🇬 Ademola Lookman’s special moment. pic.twitter.com/qjHQu6vB37
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 16, 2024
In the prestigious CAF Awards, Lookman edged out fierce competition from a field of exceptional nominees, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, Ivory Coast’s rising star Simon Adingra, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Lookman’s achievements also saw him rank 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings, further cementing his status as a global football star.
Upon receiving the award, Lookman spoke his Nigerian dialect Yoruba, and thanked his teammates, family, and fans, dedicating the honour to their unwavering support. “This is not just for me but for everyone who has been part of my journey. It’s an incredible honour to be recognized on a stage like this,” he said during his acceptance speech.
Highlight of last night was Ademola Lookman speaking Yoruba on the biggest, most memorable night of his life and career so far.
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) December 17, 2024
Born and raised in London but he knows how fortunate he is to be Yoruba.
Shout out to his parents for the amazing job.👑🫵👏🏅pic.twitter.com/L4YhKADRIb
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, held in Morocco’s cultural hub of Marrakech, celebrated the very best of African football. Lookman’s achievement not only underscores his brilliance but also marks a proud moment for Nigerian football, inspiring a new generation of players across the continent.
