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Image source: CAF Online
With the CAF awards just 7 days away, everything is set for Africa’s biggest football awards billed to take place in Morocco. Every African football lover and follower is already looking forward to this prestigious occasion where consistent brilliance and irresistible talent will be rewarded with the biggest individual prices in African football.
Weeks ago in November, when The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) revealed the final shortlist for the award, it became apparent that it had eliminated the fluke or luck factor. Only the best football players playing across different continents made the shortlist for the award which covers performances from January to December. From Cote d’ Ivoire’s Simon Adingra to South African Goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, every nominee deserves a chance to write their name in Continental history.
However, one name that has constantly stood out so far is Ademola Lookman. The London-raised winger scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions last season for Atalanta, which retained its status as one of the best in Serie A. This season, he’s continued his fine form, helping his team to the top of the Italian table after fifteen matches.
While many people may argue that Lookman’s most significant contribution this year is his hat-trick in the European league final against an undefeated Bayern Leverkusen, we can’t underestimate what he brings to his teams, even when he’s not scoring or assisting.
Image source: Vanguard News
Ademola’s impressive performance has sparked discussions about his potential to take Africa’s biggest football award home. Even the most optimistic football neutrals are warming up to the idea that he’s done enough to claim it, considering his convincing showings at the AFCON and his consistency in European competitions. Being Nigeria’s best performer so far at the ongoing 2025 AFCON qualifiers tilts the argument further to his favour.
However, it remains to be seen if his feats can propel him into the Hall of Africa’s greats, where he’ll become only the third Nigerian to succeed a previous Nigerian winner after Victor Ikpeba (1997) and Emmanuel Amunike (1994). In addition to chasing an impressive legacy, Ademola Lookman is also competing against a field of players with towering achievements at club and international levels. Players like Adingra, Williams, and Lookman’s national team captain Troost Ekong will be relishing their chances of claiming the award too, but we do not think this year’s is a contest at all. Ademola totally deserves it (no disrespect to the other nominees).
His consistent showings at club and national team levels are evident. However, it is his ability to stand toe-to-toe with the best players in the world (2024) in skills and achievements that endears him to the hearts of many Africans. Not to sound insinuating, but the whole of Africa awaits with crossed fingers and baited breath for the revelation.
Below is a full list of the nominees for the CAF Men’s Players Award
Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
