Africa’s king of football Ademola Lookman joins historical Super Eagles POTY roll of honour

• Ademola Lookman won the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, becoming the latest Nigerian to claim Africa’s top football honour
• Lookman’s back-to-back Nigerian win follows Victor Osimhen’s 2023 triumph, marking the first consecutive win for Nigeria since 1996-97
• Lookman’s stellar club season included a Europa League hat-trick for Atalanta and key contributions to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign

Ademola Lookman’s victory on Monday, December 16, as the African Footballer of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco has placed him among the elite ranks of Nigerian football stars who have earned this prestigious accolade.

Over the years, several Nigerian players have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to African football, proving the country’s reputation as a powerhouse in the world of sport. 

The 27-year-old Atalanta star is the sixth Nigerian to win the award, following in the footsteps of Victor Osimhen, who won in 2023. Remarkably, this marks the first time Nigerian players will claim the prestigious prize consecutively since Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba achieved the feat in 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Lookman’s triumph came after an extraordinary 2023/24 season for both club and country. For Atalanta, he delivered an impressive 17 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, proving the Serie A side’s status as a top team in Italy. His crowning moment came in the Europa League final, where he netted a sensational hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy.

Before Ademola Lookman, here are the 5 Super Eagles POTY award winners

TheRadar has compiled below a list of Super Eagles stars to have won the Player of the Year award:

Ademola Lookman (2024)

Ademola Lookman became the latest Super Eagles star to win the CAF Player of the Year award in 2024, succeeding his compatriot Victor Osimhen. This historic back-to-back triumph for Nigeria marked the first time since 1996 and 1997 when Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba achieved similar consecutive wins.

Lookman’s stellar 2023/24 season with club and country gave him a significant edge. He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON campaign, scoring two crucial goals that secured the Super Eagles’ spot in the quarterfinals. His decisive strike against Angola in the last eight propelled Nigeria to the semifinals.

At club level, Lookman’s heroics for Atalanta were nothing short of sensational. He broke a 117-year European title drought for the Italian side by scoring a remarkable hat-trick in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final. This unforgettable performance made him one of Africa’s finest players and earned him the well-deserved CAF honour.

Victor Osimhen (2023)

Victor Osimhen ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for the CAF Player of the Year award in 2023, a drought that began after Kanu’s victory in 1999. Osimhen’s outstanding form for Napoli during the 2022/23 season played a key role in his success. He scored an impressive 26 goals in Serie A, helping Napoli clinch their first league title in 33 years.

His success extended beyond club football. Osimhen’s international recognition soared as he finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings and earned a nomination for FIFA’s The Best awards. The Nigerian striker outperformed Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah to claim the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999)

Nwankwo Kanu remains a revered figure in Nigerian football history as the only Super Eagles player to win the CAF Player of the Year award twice. His first triumph came in 1996 after he led Nigeria’s U23 team, the “Dream Team,” to an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta. 

Kanu’s memorable brace in the semifinals against Brazil, including an iconic golden goal, singled him out as an extraordinary talent.

Three years later, Kanu won the award again in 1999 following his stellar performances with Arsenal in the English Premier League. Despite overcoming a heart condition earlier that year, Kanu excelled for the Gunners and demonstrated remarkable resilience. 

His 1999 victory saw him beat competitors like Samuel Kuffour and Ibrahima Bakayoko, proving his consistency at the highest level.

Victor Ikpeba (1997)

Victor Ikpeba, fondly known as the “Prince of Monaco,” won the CAF Player of the Year award in 1997, becoming the fourth Nigerian player to do so. At just 24 years old, Ikpeba delivered a spectacular season for AS Monaco, scoring 26 goals in all competitions during the 1996/97 campaign.

His contributions were instrumental in Monaco’s success, as they won the French Ligue 1 and domestic cup titles. Ikpeba’s brilliance extended to the UEFA Cup, where he emerged as the second-highest goal scorer. 

His exceptional performances earned him the CAF Player of the Year crown, beating fellow Super Eagles star Taribo West and Chad’s Japhet N’Doram.

Emmanuel Amuneke (1994)

Emmanuel Amuneke’s heroics in 1994 ensured Nigeria retained the CAF Player of the Year title. Amuneke was pivotal in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph, scoring both goals in the final against Zambia to secure the country’s first continental title in 14 years.

His influence extended beyond AFCON. Amuneke played a key role in Nigeria’s qualification for their maiden FIFA World Cup in 1994 and further impressed on the global stage. At the World Cup in the United States, he scored vital goals against Bulgaria and Italy, proving his worth on football’s biggest platform.

Amuneke’s achievements earned him the 1994 CAF Player of the Year award, where he edged out Liberian legend George Weah and Nigerian icon Rashidi Yekini.

Rashidi Yekini (1993)

Rashidi Yekini made history in 1993 as the first Nigerian to win the CAF Player of the Year award. Known for his clinical finishing and powerful shots, Yekini’s exploits during the 1992 AFCON saw him emerge as the tournament’s top scorer and helped Nigeria secure a bronze medal.

His brilliance wasn’t confined to international football. Yekini delivered a phenomenal season with Portuguese side Vitória Setúbal, scoring an astonishing 30 goals in 30 matches during the 1992/93 campaign. This incredible form earned him the CAF honour and established Nigeria’s presence on the African football stage.

Yekini remains an enduring legend in Nigerian football, holding the record as the country’s all-time top scorer. His achievements paved the way for future generations of Nigerian footballers to gain continental recognition.

Super Eagles star Lookman shares his next milestone after Ballon d'Or nomination

Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, one of Nigeria’s biggest football talents, had set new goals after being nominated for the prestigious 2024 Ballon d'Or and CAF Men's Player of the Year awards. 

The Atalanta BC star has declared his ambition to lead Nigeria to the AFCON 2025 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, building on his recent successes with both his club and national teams.