here’s what got him

Super Eagles ace Ademola Lookman has been crowned the best African footballer of the year for his remarkable run in 2024.

Indeed, the 27-year-old has had an inspired year which began by leading the Super Eagles to the silver medal at the 2023 AFCON.

So, he continued his momentum in Bergamo and helped Atalanta win their first European trophy, a top-four finish and a silver medal in the Coppa Italia.

If consistency is king in football, and Lookman has indeed been consistent, moments of ultra-human intervention in the biggest games are the determining factor in what is largely a popularity contest.

The Nigerian, like many other great players before him, never hesitated to step up in the most difficult moments.

Lookman determined the outcome of many key matches during the reporting period (January to October 2024).

Here are 9 matches that allowed Ademola Lookman to win the CAF Player of the Year title:

Lookman against Cameroon (CAN 2024)

Prior to the tournament, Lookman’s performances with the Super Eagles had come under scrutiny.

However, during the AFCON, he confirmed to everyone that he is one of Nigeria’s most important players for the present and the future.

The match that best conveyed this message was the round of 16 match against Cameroon, in which CAF’s best player scored 2 goals to help José Peseiro’s team qualify against a bitter rival.

Lookman against Angola (Q/Final CAN)

Angola were thriving and therefore represented a potential banana skin, but Nigeria had Lookman, who continued his momentum against the Indomitable Lions, scoring the only goal against the Palancas Negras to help the Super Eagles qualify and settling a grudge that arose during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Ademola Lookman vs Sporting (16th round of the Europa League)

The Nigerian made last season’s Europa League team of the tournament but, unbelievably, did not score until the round of 16, but it was worth the wait.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw in Portugal, Dea found themselves back against the wall in the second leg when Pedro Goncalves put the visitors ahead.

Ademola Lookman, however, rose to the occasion with a timely equalizer, whose momentum propelled them to victory thanks to a Gianluca Scamacca goal.

Lookman v Marseille (Europa League semi-final)

As against Sporting, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team approached the return match against the Phocaeans with all the cards in hand, the first leg having ended with a score of 1 to 1.

He scored the opening goal, which was decisive, and helped Matteo Rugeri extend the lead before El Bilal Touré scored to make the result 3-0.

Lookman v Bayer Leverkusen (Europa League final)

The player’s previous exploits pale in comparison to what he accomplished in this match, or any other match in his career for that matter.

It’s safe to say that it was this match that allowed him to win the CAF Player of the Year title, and this article could objectively have been entirely devoted to this match.

The Nigerian scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, ending Die Werkself’s unbeaten run (their only defeat that season) and giving Atalanta their first European trophy.

Lookman against Fiorentina (demi-final of the Italian Cup)

Atalanta could have achieved a double blow last season by reaching the final of the Coppa Italia, which they ultimately lost in the final to Juventus, thanks to the footballer’s exploits.

The former Everton striker scored and assisted to help La Dea beat a then in-form Fiorentina.

Lookman against the Republic of Benin (qualifying for the CAN)

Nigeria qualified for CAN 2025 by winning only 2 matches on the field, one of which was against Benin Republic, where they scored two goals in the 3-0 victory.

Lookman vs Fiorentina (Serie A)

Atalanta are currently leaders of Serie A, partly thanks to the Nigerian’s 12 goals in 13 matches.

The win against Fiorentina in September was one of his standout performances, as he scored and assisted to help Gasperini’s side secure a marginal 3-2 victory.