Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year at a prestigious ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

The 27-year-old Nigerian star beat strong competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to clinch the coveted title.

Lookman’s triumph marks Nigeria’s sixth victory in the history of the award, following in the footsteps of football greats like Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023).

The Atalanta star enjoyed a remarkable season, delivering a sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final to lead his club to victory and solidify his place among Europe’s elite forwards. On the international stage, Lookman played a key role in the Super Eagles’ impressive second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where he scored three goals.

This season, Lookman’s form has remained exceptional, with 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions. His notable contributions include a standout goal against UEFA Champions League giants, Real Madrid.

Lookman’s award is a testament to his hard work, consistency, and brilliance on both club and national fronts, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s footballing icons.