Ademola Lookman is the hot favorite to win the 2024 CAF Award, after scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 45 club games in 2023-24.
What happened?
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Award nominees have been named, with Lookman widely tipped to beat Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and PSG's Achraf Hakimi.
Lookman finished 14th in this year's Ballon d'Or, and became a household name when he scored a hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League Final.
Why it matters for Ademola Lookman
The 27-year-old's performance has increased his market value by $31.7M, according to Transfermarkt, since leaving the English Premier League for Atalanta in 2022.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Tony D'Amico spent $9.88M to permanently sign the former England U21 international.
What comes next?
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.
Lookman has averaged one goal contribution per game for Atalanta between Serie A and UEFA Champions League obligations, with eight goals and five assists at the time of writing.
The Super Eagles are shortlisted with Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, and South Africa in the National Team of the Year category.
Ademola Lookman has eight goals and four assists for Nigeria, and started the 2024 AFCON Final together with Osimhen, losing 2-1 to the host nation Ivory Coast in February.
Atalanta won the UEFA Europa League Final 3-0, with Lookman scoring a hat trick against the previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side.
The former Everton attacker has 40 goals and 23 assists in 90 appearances for Atalanta.
Never before have two Italy-based Nigerians claimed consecutive CAF awards, and only once before have two Serie A players won the coveted title two years in a row.
Since August, Lookman has been in top form, with his standout performance coming against league leaders Napoli on match day 11 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The sales of Teun Koopmeiners, Jeremie Boga, and Rasmus Hojlund over the past two summers meant more playing time and responsibilities for Lookman.
Lookman began his career at English clubs Fulham, Charlton Athletic, and Leicester City, and spent a season at German outfit RB Leipzig.
The CAF Award nominees were announced, with Lookman as the top contender, and the winner will be decided in Marrakech.
Ademola Lookman's impressive performance has made him a favorite to win the 2024 CAF Award, and his market value has increased significantly since joining Atalanta.
The Nerazzurri have been performing well, with Lookman's contributions being a key factor in their success.
Lookman's hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League Final was a memorable moment, and he has continued to impress with his performances for Atalanta.
The 2024 CAF Awards will be a significant event, with Lookman as one of the top contenders, and his win would be a historic moment for Nigeria and Serie A.
Ademola Lookman's career has been on the rise, with his move to Atalanta being a key factor in his success, and he is now one of the top players in Serie A.
The CAF Awards will be decided by the coaches of each of Africa’s 54 countries, along with an expert panel, and the winner will be announced in Marrakech.
Lookman's performance has been impressive, with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games, and he is widely tipped to win the 2024 CAF Award.
The former England U21 international has been in top form, and his market value has increased significantly since joining Atalanta.
The Super Eagles are shortlisted for the National Team of the Year category, and Lookman's contributions have been a key factor in their success.
Ademola Lookman's win would be a historic moment for Nigeria and Serie A, and he is one of the top contenders for the 2024 CAF Award.
The 2024 CAF Awards will be a significant event, with Lookman as one of the top contenders, and his performance has been impressive, with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games.