Julius OkorieIn what looked like an impressive relay race, Super Eagles Ademola Lookman took over from compatriot Victor Osimhen after emerging African Footballer of the year Monday night in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman who was in super form for both country and club within the season under consideration left no one in doubt that he deserved the gong and indeed worked hard for it.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Atalanta strong man and former England junior international was all over the place in Super Eagles narrow miss to clinching the Nations Cup for a record fourth time last year.
The forward scored two goals in four matches during the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification series to help the Super Eagles qualify for the tournament in grand style.
At the tournament proper he showed the stuff he was made off with a timely assist for Victor Osimhen to net Nigeria’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their group A opener and was hugely instrumental to the Super Eagles qualifying for the knockout stages.
His brace against Indomitable Lions of Cameroon saw Eagles cruise past the round of 16 and he was not done yet as he scored the only goal against Palengra Negras of Angola in the Quarterfinal to set up what turned out to be a nail biting showdown against Bafana Bafana of South Africa with Eagles emerging victorious after penalties to play in the final where the team lost narrowly to hosts and eventual winners Elephants of Cote d Ivoire.
The 27 year old did not just help the Eagles emerge second best in the continent in that tournament but also made history for himself becoming the fourth Nigerian to score three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON edition, matching the record set by Odion Ighalo, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and the late Rashidi Yekini.
It was also not just about the Super Eagles for Ademola Lookman as he also soared high with his Italian club Atalanta helping the club to clinch the Europa league at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen which had compatriot Victor Bofiface on parade.
READ ALSO :Can Ademola Lookman Join CAF Player Of The Year Hall Of Fame Tonight?
A hat-trick in the by Lookman in the final of the Europa league was all that was needed to hand Atalanta their first ever European trophy in decades. He also became by the feat sixth player to score a hat trick in a European cup final.
On hand to present Lookman with his award were FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe .
Lookman while reacting to his victory, thanked Nigerians and all others who voted for him, beginning his speech with “Nigeria Modupe” Nigeria thank you.
Lookman was not the only Nigeria who shone like a million stars at the event as Super Falcons Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie retained her award as best goalkeeper while Super Falcons emerged national women team of the year.
2024 CAF AWARDS: All The WINNERS
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Cote d’Ivoire
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Nigeria
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
CAF GOAL OF THE YEAR
Mabululu (Angola)
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
