Why Ademola Lookman DESERVES to be crowned CAF Best Player
As the highly anticipated 2024 CAF Awards unfolds tonight in Marrakesh, Morocco, there is growing speculation that Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan star and PSG defender, could be named the African Player of the Year.
In this article, SportsRation’s Nsikakabasi Akpan shares why Ademola Lookman, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward playing for Atalanta, has a strong case for the prestigious award, and should be crowned the best player on the continent.
The Case for Lookman
Lookman’s performances for both Atalanta and the Super Eagles this year have been nothing short of extraordinary. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has publicly backed Lookman for the award, highlighting his crucial contributions to both club and country. According to the NFF, Lookman has proven to be one of the most consistent and influential players in Africa this year.
In a statement, the NFF outlined Lookman’s impressive achievements:
- Three goals and two assists helped Nigeria reach the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in February, where they narrowly lost to Côte d’Ivoire.
- Lookman’s incredible hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final helped Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen, securing them the prestigious title.
- This season, Lookman has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Nsikakabasi Akpan: “Lookman is the Best”
Sportsration’s Nsikakabasi Akpan echoes the NFF’s support for Lookman, emphasising why the Nigerian forward should win the award tonight. Akpan believes Lookman’s contributions far outweigh those of other nominees, including Achraf Hakimi.
“While Hakimi is undoubtedly a top player, his performances this year don’t quite match up to what Lookman has achieved,” Akpan said. “Lookman’s ability to deliver in crucial moments, both for Atalanta and the Super Eagles, makes him the standout player in Africa this year. His performances have been consistent, and he has proven himself on the biggest stages, including in the Champions League and AFCON qualifiers.”
Lookman’s Achievements vs. Other Nominees
The competition for the African Player of the Year award is fierce, with Hakimi, Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa) also vying for the title. However, the NFF believes that none of these players can rival Lookman’s impact this year.
- Simon Adingra may have had a strong second-half performance in the AFCON final against Nigeria, but his club performances with Brighton in the Premier League have been less impressive compared to Lookman’s outstanding displays for Atalanta.
- Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, despite scoring some great goals in the AFCON qualifiers, failed to guide his team to the finals and has had limited impact at Borussia Dortmund this season.
- Ronwen Williams, South Africa’s goalkeeper, has had a solid year, but is better suited for the Goalkeeper of the Year award rather than the top player category.
A Historic Moment for Nigeria
If Lookman wins tonight, it will be a significant moment for Nigerian football. The NFF points out that Nigeria has produced some of the best players in African football history, with previous winners of the Men’s Player of the Year including Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Victor Osimhen.
Lookman’s potential win would make him the second Nigerian player in two years to take home the coveted award, following Victor Osimhen’s triumph in 2023.
Conclusion
While Achraf Hakimi may have his supporters, Ademola Lookman’s impressive season for both Atalanta and the Super Eagles makes him the deserving candidate for the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year award. His consistency, key performances in high-stakes matches, and remarkable contributions on the biggest stages should see him crowned the best player on the continent tonight.
