epa11685824 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 5-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona, in Bergamo, Italy, 26 October 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA
Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has been named as one of the candidates for the African Footballer of the Year award, where he is the hot favourite.
The other nominees for the award are Simon Adingra (Brighton and Hove Albion and Ivory Coast), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco) and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa).
The winner in 2023 was Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who was fresh from securing the Scudetto as Serie A Capocannoniere.
Lookman favourite for 2024 African Player of the Year
Lookman was crucial in helping La Dea win the Europa League over the summer, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the Final 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
He was also instrumental in Atalanta’s push to the Coppa Italia Final, losing 1-0 to Juventus, and fourth place in Serie A with qualification for the Champions League.
The 27-year-old scored 17 goals with 10 assists in 45 club games last season.
He contributed three goals and an assist in Nigeria’s run to the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations, losing 2-1 to the Ivory Coast.
This all allowed Lookman to finish 14th in the Ballon d’Or tally for 2024.
Although born and raised in England, Lookman opted to represent Nigeria at international level.
Morocco
