CAF Awards: Why Ademola Lookman is Africa’s undisputed football king in 2024
The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony is set to take place on 16th December in Marrakech, a major city in Morocco. This prestigious event will bring together dignitaries from the world of football to celebrate the immense talent across African football.
The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award, a recognition for the most outstanding African male footballer during the 2023/24 season.
The nominees for this coveted award are:
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa) – Goalkeeper, Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa.
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – Forward, Atalanta, Italy.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – Defender, Paris Saint-Germain, France.
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Forward, Borussia Dortmund, Germany.
- Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire) – Forward, Brighton & Hove Albion, England.
Round 1 ended in a draw, but now there can only be 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿. 🎖️
Who clinches the #CAFAwards2024 Men's Player of the Year award❓ pic.twitter.com/I7F6LrwYuq
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 14, 2024
While all nominees boast remarkable achievements, the case for Ademola Lookman as the standout candidate is compelling. His performance for club and country during the 2023/24 season places him as the frontrunner for the award. Though Serhou Guirassy recorded a phenomenal 33 goal contributions for Stuttgart at the club level, his absence from the scoresheet at the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) diminishes his overall claim. In contrast, Lookman’s consistency across domestic, continental, and international football makes him a worthy choice.
Lookman, who is the only African player nominated for the 2024 Balon O’dor, was pivotal for Atalanta, delivering an exceptional 2023/24 campaign capped by his record-setting hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
This feat ended Atalanta’s 61-year wait for silverware and secured their place in the UEFA Champions League for the upcoming season. In addition, Lookman contributed significantly to Nigeria’s AFCON journey, scoring three decisive goals and helping the Super Eagles secure a runner-up finish. This dual success at club and country levels cements his reputation as a complete player.
Other nominees also had commendable seasons in a way that is great for African football. Achraf Hakimi’s performances for Paris Saint-Germain saw the club secure three domestic titles and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Simon Adingra’s role in helping Côte d’Ivoire win the AFCON title showcased his immense talent, particularly in the tournament’s final. Yet, even Adingra’s success on the international stage is overshadowed by Lookman’s unprecedented contributions to Atalanta’s historic triumph and Nigeria’s strong AFCON run.
As the 2024/25 season unfolds, Lookman continues to assert his dominance. With 16 goal contributions in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League already, he has propelled Atalanta to the top of the Serie A standings and into the knockout stages of the Champions League. His consistency and influence make it nearly unthinkable for him not to claim the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award.
With his unmatched impact across all competitions, Ademola Lookman stands as the definitive symbol of African footballing excellence. The 2024 CAF Awards are set to celebrate African talent, and this year, Lookman’s brilliance promises to be at the forefront of the celebration.
