Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, has emerged as a strong contender to succeed Victor Osimhen as the CAF Player of the Year following Atalanta’s victory over Olympique Marseille, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen’s outstanding performance in Napoli’s 2022-23 season campaign, winning the Italian Serie A title and scoring numerous goals, earned him the Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Lookman’s performance with Atalanta, playing a pivotal role in their progression to the final of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League in Dublin, has positioned him as a potential successor to Osimhen for the CAF Player of the Year title.
How Lookman Emerged as a Contender
Lookman stands out as a frontrunner for the CAF Player of the Year award, boasting a remarkable track record in the 2023-24 season campaign.
His achievements include clinching the Africa Cup of Nations silver medal, contributing three goals and one assist during the tournament, and earning an AFCON Man of the Match award.
Additionally, Lookman played a key role in helping Gian Gasperini’s Atalanta reach the finals of both the Copa Italian and the Europa League.
Currently, Lookman has an impressive tally of 12 goals and eight assists for Atalanta this season, further firming his position as a standout player deserving of the prestigious award.
Lookman at the 2023 AFCON Tournament
Lookman netted three goals and provided an assist during the AFCON tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire, establishing himself as the top scorer for Jose Peseiro–led Super Eagles team as at that time.
Expressing his satisfaction with his performance, Lookman shared his delight in contributing to the team’s success, and emphasis on the collective effort of the squad.
“[I was] very happy obviously, being an attacking player you always want to help the team in that way. So yeah, [I] was very glad. [I] was happy to do that. But the team was amazing and everybody helped out,” he conveyed to Calister Enejele.
Lookman vs. Boniface and Tella in Dublin
In Atalanta’s recent victory over Olympique Marseille, Lookman opened the scoring with a dazzling display, skillfully navigating past several defenders before releasing a shot that found the back of the net.
This sets up a fascinating final showdown in Dublin on May 22, 2023, where Lookman will face off against his compatriots Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, both crucial players for Bayer Leverkusen, who secured victory over AS Roma.