Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been crowned the African Footballer of the Year 2024 following in the footsteps of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who won the gong last year.
In the year under review, the Italy-based player helped the Super Eagles reach their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final, losing 1-2 to hosts La Côte d’Ivoire.
He nicked a hat trick in the final of the 2023/24 Europa League as his side Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final.
He became the first Atalanta player to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Despite playing for the English national team in lower-age competitions, winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup within that period, Ademola has been in fine form since switching nationality to play for the Super Eagles.
He’s played 27 times for the West Africans with eight goals to his credit.
In the other awards given on the night in Marrakech, Morocco, Barbra Banda of the Zambian women’s national team was crowned the Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won the CAF Interclub Player of the Year and the Goalkeeper of the Year.
