- Ademola Lookman has won the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year award, becoming the sixth Nigerian to claim the honour
- Lookman beat top contenders like Achraf Hakimi and Simon Adingra after a stellar season with Atalanta and a strong AFCON performance for Nigeria
- TheRadar has compiled below different reactions to Ademola Lookman securing the award
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has etched his name in African football history, becoming the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year.
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.
On the international stage, Lookman shone brightly for Nigeria. He was important in the Super Eagles' journey to the AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals and earning a place in the tournament’s Best XI alongside captain William Troost-Ekong.
The Atalanta forward defeated notable players, including Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy, to clinch Africa’s most coveted individual football honour.
“Naija no dey carry last,” Netizens react to Lookman’s Player Of The Year award
TheRadar has compiled below several reactions of Netizens to Lookman winning the CAF Player of the Year (POTY):
“Interesting how we went from not having any winner since 1999 to having 2 winners back to back and with the current form of both players, only Mo Salah seems to be the big threat for next year's award,” @EjianrehE
“Congrats to the African best player! 🇳🇬👑 He might still win it again next year ✍️,” @BibleNelson
“It is ours ... Since Baba come , we done win back to back ... AWALOKAN,” @Fajemidagb95189
“From AFCON heroics to a historic hat-trick in the Europa League, his journey to the top is nothing short of remarkable,” @alpicap_com
“He was superb this year and he really deserved it. And he has started cooking hard already this season as well. Next season own will be tough between him, Salah, Amad and Omar Marmoush. Jackson too is cooking so it’ll be exciting next year,” @GhanaYesu_
“Just watch Super Eagles win the next World Cup and Nations cup with him,” @Mussprince_seal
“Ademola Lookman is a true example of perseverance and determination. From enduring a challenging stint at Fulham to becoming a Europa League winner with a historic hat-trick record, and now being crowned Africa's best players. This achievement is not just a win for Lookman,” @gwaniforlife
“Four years ago, he faced defeat. Today, he stands as the continent's finest,” @alpicap_com
“His Yorùbá is even better than some yorùbá living in Nigeria.. He is African best,” @empopson
“Osimhen last year, Ademola Lookman this year, Ghana just dey use their 24 hrs electricity watch our success 😂😂,” @TheMahleek
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.
