Victor Boniface vs. Ademola Lookman: Who deserves the CAF Player of the Year award?

The race for the prestigious CAF African Player of the Year award is heating up, with two standout Nigerian forwards—Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman—emerging as leading contenders. Both players have enjoyed remarkable seasons, but the question remains: who deserves the award more?

Victor Boniface: Leverkusen’s Goal Machine

Victor Boniface, after his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise, has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. Boniface’s debut season in Germany was nothing short of stellar, with 21 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His lethal finishing and powerful presence in the box were instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen clinching both the Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal.

Boniface’s contributions have earned him widespread recognition, and the striker believes his performances last season make him the frontrunner for the CAF Player of the Year award. In an interview with SportyTV, he confidently stated, “I will go for myself as the African Footballer of the Year; I rate myself that high. If it’s just what we did last season, I’ll pick myself.”

While Boniface’s stats and silverware speak volumes, his campaign was marred by an injury that ruled him out of key competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also failed to find the net in Leverkusen’s UEFA Europa League final loss to Atalanta, where fellow Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman stole the spotlight.

Ademola Lookman: Atalanta’s European Hero

Ademola Lookman’s season at Atalanta was nothing short of historic. The winger was central to Atalanta’s success, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions. His crowning moment came in the Europa League final, where he delivered a sensational hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy.

Lookman’s contributions didn’t stop there. He was a key figure for Nigeria at AFCON, guiding the Super Eagles to the final with three goals and two assists. His performances earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament, further solidifying his case for the CAF Player of the Year award.

Lookman’s ability to shine in crucial moments and his versatility as an attacking player make him a formidable candidate for the award. His heroics in the Europa League final, where he outperformed Boniface, place him in strong contention.

SportsRation Correspondent Backs Lookman for CAF Player of the Year

SportsRation correspondent Nsikakabasi Akpan has publicly thrown his support behind Ademola Lookman for the CAF Player of the Year award. Akpan believes Lookman’s dominance in Europe and his contributions on the international stage set him apart from Boniface.

“Ademola Lookman singlehandedly won the Europa League title for Atalanta with that stunning hat-trick against Boniface’s Leverkusen. That performance alone deserves recognition,” Akpan stated. “Beyond Europe, Lookman’s role in leading Nigeria to the AFCON final, while Boniface missed out with injury, shows how important he is to both club and country.”

Akpan added, “Lookman has consistently delivered on the big stage, and his versatility, combined with his ability to step up when it matters most, makes him not Boniface my pick for African Footballer of the Year.”

Conclusion: Two Titans, One Award

Both Boniface and Lookman have compelling cases for the CAF Player of the Year award. Boniface’s dominance in the Bundesliga and his goalscoring prowess have made him a star in German football, while Lookman’s match-winning performances in Europe and his vital role for Nigeria at AFCON highlight his importance on both club and international stages.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to how voters weigh their respective accomplishments. Boniface’s consistency and trophies may be hard to overlook, but Lookman’s ability to shine in Europe’s biggest moments could tip the scales in his favour.

As December approaches, football fans across Africa will eagerly await the announcement of who will be crowned the continent’s best player.