Atalanta’s Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman, has been named on the final five-man shortlist for the prestigious 2024 CAF African Men’s Player of the Year award, recognizing the continent’s best footballer for performances between January and October 2024.
Lookman’s nomination is a testament to his outstanding form on the pitch over the past year. The 27-year-old enjoyed a sensational start to 2024, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions for Atalanta in the 2023/24. In the Serie A alone he netted 11 goals and registered 7 assists in 31 games. His efforts helped Atalanta secure a fourth-place finish and qualification for the prestigious UEFA Champions League, though his totals would likely have been even higher if not for missing four league matches due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria reached the final.
Notably, Lookman had the highest goal contribution across Europe’s Big-5 leagues since April, with a combined 14 goal contributions, including 8 goals and 6 assists. His impact at Atalanta has continued into the current season, where he has already contributed 6 goals and 4 assists in just 9 Serie A games, helping his side sit second in the league, one point behind leaders Napoli.
In addition to his club exploits, Lookman’s stellar year saw him make history at the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he was ranked as the 14th best player in the world. The nomination was a reflection of his key performances for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and his heroics in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored a hat-trick in the final to help Atalanta secure their first-ever European trophy.
Lookman faces competition for the CAF award from Simon Adingra of Brighton & Hove Albion (Ivory Coast), Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain (Morocco), Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund (Guinea), and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns. Notably, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, who was initially on the 10-man shortlist, missed out on the final five.
The winner of the 2024 CAF African Men’s Player of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks, with Lookman’s remarkable year placing him firmly in the running for the prestigious honor.
