Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman crowned African Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian striker for Atalanta Bergamo, has been named the African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco. This is Lookman's first time receiving the honor, succeeding Victor Osimhen, who won it in 2023.

Lookman had an outstanding year, highlighted by a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first major European trophy. He contributed significantly with 17 goals and 10 assists throughout the season.

The ceremony also recognized Zambia’s Barbra Banda as the African Women's Player of the Year and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams among other achievers. Lookman's win marks back-to-back awards for Nigeria, a feat last achieved in the late 1990s by Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba.