Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman was named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Marrakesh on Monday, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Lookman, 27, who plays for Atalanta, beat out a competitive field including Ivorian Simon Adingra, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa's Ronwen Williams to claim the prestigious honor.
The award comes on the heels of a remarkable year for Lookman, which included a memorable hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in May. He becomes the second consecutive Nigerian to win the award, following Victor Osimhen's victory in 2023, and continues a proud tradition that hasn't been seen since Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba's consecutive wins in 1996 and 1997.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Lookman expressed gratitude, saying, "This award is a blessing for me, my family, and my country, and being recognized as Africa's best player is truly incredible."
The London-born striker's journey has been notable, with previous stints at Everton, RB Leipzig, Leicester City, and Fulham. Despite starting the year as a runner-up in the Africa Cup of Nations, he was the sole African nominee for the men's Ballon d'Or, finishing 14th in the global rankings.
In the women's category, Zambia's Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first from her country to win the award. Playing for Orlando Pride, Banda was instrumental in her team's NWSL Championship victory, scoring the decisive goal in last month's final against the Washington Spirit.
The winners were selected by a comprehensive panel including CAF's technical committee members, African media professionals, players, and coaches, highlighting the rigorous selection process.
Both Lookman and Banda emphasized the importance of support from teammates, coaches, and family in their achievements, underscoring the collaborative nature of sporting success.