On this article, SportsRation takes a have a look at Ademola Lookman and different Nigerians who’ve received the CAF African Footballer of the Yr award.
On Monday evening, Ademola Lookman emerged because the winner for 2024, beating out Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who had been additionally nominated for the celebrated award.
The 27-year-old had an distinctive 12 months, contributing immensely each for his membership and nation. Lookman performed a key position in Nigeria’s robust efficiency within the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the place the Tremendous Eagles reached the ultimate, with Lookman scoring three targets and offering one help in seven matches. His efforts helped Nigeria safe an unbeaten run earlier than their loss to Côte d’Ivoire within the ultimate.
Following that, Lookman made historical past with Atalanta, main the Italian membership to their first-ever UEFA Europa League title. He scored a outstanding hat-trick within the ultimate towards Bayer Leverkusen, changing into the primary African participant to internet three targets in a European ultimate. Lookman has continued to shine within the 2024-25 season, taking part in a vital position in Atalanta’s shocking rise to the highest of Serie A.
Lookman’s win marks the sixth time a Nigerian participant has been named CAF African Participant of the Yr, becoming a member of the ranks of legends like Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Osimhen.
Right here’s a have a look at different Nigerians who’ve received the celebrated award:
Rashidi Yekini – 1993
Rashidi Yekini made historical past as the primary Nigerian to win the CAF African Footballer of the Yr award in 1993. Yekini’s goal-scoring prowess was on full show in the course of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, the place he was the match’s prime scorer, serving to Nigeria win a bronze medal. His outstanding kind continued in Portugal with Vitória Setúbal, the place he scored 30 targets within the 1992/93 season, incomes him the award.
Emmanuel Amuneke – 1994
A 12 months after Yekini’s victory, Emmanuel Amuneke secured the 1994 CAF African Footballer of the Yr award. Amuneke’s performances helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two essential targets within the ultimate towards Zambia. He was additionally a standout on the 1994 World Cup, additional showcasing his high quality. Amuneke’s contribution to Nigeria’s success made him a deserving winner of the award.
Victor Ikpeba – 1997
Victor Ikpeba received the award in 1997 after an distinctive season with AS Monaco. The striker scored 26 targets throughout all competitions, serving to Monaco safe a league and cup double. Ikpeba additionally impressed within the UEFA Cup, the place he completed because the second-highest scorer, incomes the CAF award forward of his teammates and different robust contenders.
Nwankwo Kanu – 1996, 1999
Nwankwo Kanu stays the one Nigerian to win the CAF African Footballer of the Yr award twice. His first win got here in 1996 after main Nigeria to Olympic gold in Atlanta, the place he scored essential targets, together with two towards Brazil within the semi-finals. Kanu’s second win got here in 1999 after his stellar performances with Arsenal within the English Premier League, regardless of battling a coronary heart situation.
Victor Osimhen – 2023
Victor Osimhen ended a 24-year drought for Nigeria when he received the CAF African Footballer of the Yr award in 2023. Osimhen’s outstanding performances for Napoli, the place he scored 26 targets and helped the membership safe their first Serie A title in 33 years, earned him the distinction. Osimhen’s success on the membership degree was additionally acknowledged internationally, as he completed eighth within the Ballon d’Or rankings and was nominated for FIFA’s The Finest awards.
Ademola Lookman’s 2024 win joins a proud custom of Nigerian gamers being acknowledged as Africa’s finest. As he continues to shine, Lookman follows within the footsteps of those footballing legends who’ve helped put Nigeria on the map as a soccer powerhouse.
