TOPSHOT – Atalanta’s Nigerian forward #11 Ademola Lookman celebrates with the trophy after winning … [+] during the UEFA Europa League final Football match between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena stadium, in Dublin, on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Award nominees have been named, with Ademola Lookman the hot favourite to win in 2024.
The Atalanta star, who was born in England but represents Nigeria, is widely tipped to beat Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams (South Africa), PSG’s Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) and Brighton’s Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast).
Lookman finished 14th in this year’s Ballon d’Or after scoring 17 goals and providing ten assists in 45 club games in 2023-24.
The 27-year-old became a household name when he scored a hat trick against the previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side in the UEFA Europa League Final, which Atalanta won 3-0.
Atalanta’s Nigerian forward #11 Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the … [+] UEFA Europa League final football match between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena stadium, in Dublin, on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Never before have two Italy-based Nigerians claimed consecutive CAF awards. Moreover, only once before have two Serie A players won the coveted title two years in a row, back in 1995 and 1996 respectively when George Weah (Milan and Liberia) and Nwanko Kanu (Inter and Nigeria) were at the peak of their powers.
Since the turn of the century, three Serie A players have become the African Player of the Year.
Cameroonian striker Patrick M’Boma notched up eight goals and four assists for Cagliari during the 1999-2000 season, scoring in two separate matches against AS Roma and getting a brace at the Stadio Sant’Elia against Piacenza. M’Boma subsequently signed for Parma the following season.
02 Dec 2001: Luis Helguera of Udinese and Patrick Mboma of Parma in action during the Serie A … [+] match between Udinese and Parma, played at the Friuli Stadium, Udine . DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Grazia Neri/ALLSPORT
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Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o (R) is awarded African Footballer of the Year 2010, a record fourth … [+] time at the annual CAF awards ceremony in Cairo on December 20, 2010. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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In 2010, Samuel Eto’o won his fourth and final CAF title while at Inter, scoring 16 goals under former coach Jose Mourinho. Since then, Yaya Toure (4 awards), Mohamed Sala (2), and Sadio Mané (2) dominated until Osimhen made history last year.
Osimhen and Lookman (three tournament goals and an assist) started the 2024 AFCON Final together for Nigeria, losing 2-1 to the host nation Ivory Coast in February.
However, Lookman atoned with a superb match-winning performance for Atalanta in May, stunning Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen with three outstanding individual efforts.
Since August, Lookman has averaged one goal contribution per game for At Dea between Serie A and UEFA Champions League obligations, with eight goals and five assists at the time of writing.
His standout performance came against league leaders Napoli on match day 11 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Atalanta’s Nigerian forward #11 Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal … [+] during the Italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, on November 3, 2024. (Photo by CARLO HERMANN / AFP) (Photo by CARLO HERMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Additionally, the former Everton attacker increased his market value by $31.7M, according to Transfermarkt, since leaving the English Premier League for the Bergamo-based club in 2022.
Born in London, Lookman began his career at English clubs Fulham, Charlton Athletic, the Toffees and Leicester City and spent a season at German outfit RB Leipzig.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Tony D’Amico then spent $9.88M to permanently sign the former England U21 international.
The sales of Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Jeremie Boga (Nice) and Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United) over the past two summers meant more playing time and responsibilities for Lookman, who has 40 goals and 23 assists in 90 appearances for the Nerazzurri.
Nigeria’s forward #18 Ademola Lookman (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Nigeria’s … [+] forward #9 Victor Osimhen during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 27, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
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At international level, Lookman has eight goals and four assists for Nigeria. The Super Eagles are shortlisted with Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan and South Africa in the National Team of the Year category.
The coaches of each of Africa’s 54 countries, along with an expert panel, will cast their votes to decide the 2024 edition of the CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on 16 December 2024.
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