Lookman’s contributions on the international stage have been instrumental to Nigeria’s success. At the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, he was Nigeria’s talisman, scoring three goals and providing two assists to guide the Super Eagles to their eighth AFCON final. Despite Nigeria falling to host nation Côte d’Ivoire in the final, Lookman’s performances throughout the tournament established him as one of the best players of the competition. His ability to consistently deliver in high-pressure situations earned him plaudits and reaffirmed his importance to the Super Eagles’ setup.
At club level, Lookman has been nothing short of sensational. His crowning moment came in May 2024, when he scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final. This triumph marked Atalanta’s first-ever European title, and Lookman’s match-winning display will go down as one of the greatest individual performances in the competition’s history. His total contributions in the Europa League included six goals and three assists in 11 appearances, cementing his place as a decisive figure in Atalanta’s historic run.
Lookman’s brilliance has carried over into the 2024/25 season. In 18 matches across all competitions, he has already amassed 11 goals and five assists, including a crucial strike against 14-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid. This impressive return underscores his ability to perform against elite opposition and maintain consistency across Europe’s most demanding competitions. His contributions have made Atalanta one of the most dangerous attacking sides in Serie A, where they are competing for a top-four finish and a deep run in the Champions League.
Internationally, Lookman continued to shine in the AFCON qualification campaign. He scored two vital goals as Nigeria secured their place in the 2025 AFCON, and his attacking threat was evident throughout. Controversially, two additional goals were disallowed in matches marked by contentious refereeing decisions. Nevertheless, Lookman’s performances left no doubt about his pivotal role in ensuring Nigeria’s qualification for the continental showcase.
Comparatively, Lookman’s record far exceeds that of his fellow nominees. Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra has had an impressive year, contributing significantly to Brighton & Hove Albion’s success in the English Premier League. Adingra’s second-half heroics in the AFCON final, where he scored the winning goal against Nigeria, cemented his status as one of Côte d’Ivoire’s brightest prospects. However, his overall contributions — six goals and four assists in 22 club appearances this season — fall short of Lookman’s stellar numbers.
Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, another nominee, stood out during the AFCON qualification campaign, finishing as one of the top scorers. However, his inability to lead Guinea to the finals, coupled with a quieter season at Borussia Dortmund, diminishes his chances. South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been exceptional for his national team and Mamelodi Sundowns, but goalkeepers rarely win this accolade unless they achieve historic feats, which Williams has not yet managed. Meanwhile, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi has been steady but lacks the standout performances that define a Player of the Year winner.
A win for Lookman would add to Nigeria’s impressive record in the African Player of the Year category. Since the awards became CAF-organized in 1992, Nigeria has produced six winners: Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996, 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997), and Victor Osimhen (2023). Lookman’s victory would elevate Nigeria to seven titles, breaking their tie with Côte d’Ivoire and placing them second only to Cameroon, which leads with 11 wins.
Nigeria’s influence at the CAF Awards extends beyond Lookman. Chiamaka Nnadozie is a strong contender for the Women’s Player of the Year award following her exceptional performances for the Super Falcons and Paris FC. Nnadozie’s heroics during Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Olympics and her stellar displays at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations have made her a standout figure in women’s football. She is also a favorite to retain her Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year title.
In addition, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu is a nominee for Women’s Young Player of the Year, highlighting the depth of Nigerian talent in women’s football. The Super Eagles are in contention for Men’s National Team of the Year, while the Super Falcons, the reigning African champions, are favorites to claim the Women’s National Team of the Year award. Nigerian club Edo Queens also features in the Women’s Club of the Year category, showcasing the country’s dominance in African football across multiple levels.
Lookman’s potential victory, alongside other Nigerian successes, would be historic. It would mark only the third time in CAF Awards history that Nigeria claimed both the men’s and women’s Player of the Year titles in the same year, following dual triumphs by Nwankwo Kanu and Mercy Akide in 1999, and Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in 2023. Such a feat would reaffirm Nigeria’s position as a footballing powerhouse on the continent.
With 18 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for club and country in 2024, including a hat-trick in a European final, Lookman has proven himself to be a player of unmatched quality this year. His ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments, combined with his consistency, technical ability, and leadership, makes him the standout candidate for African Player of the Year.
As Nigeria awaits Monday evening’s announcement, the stage is set for Ademola Lookman to claim his place among the greats of African football. A victory would not only honor his exceptional achievements but also inspire the next generation of Nigerian talent to reach for similar heights. Lookman stands as a symbol of what determination, talent, and hard work can achieve, and his recognition as Africa’s finest would be richly deserved.
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