Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is predicted to win the African Footballer of the Year award, surpassing notable contenders Mohamed Salah and Brahim Diaz, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Everton forward has garnered significant attention during the 2023-24 season, making a substantial impact for Atalanta, notably in the UEFA Europa League final, and for the Super Eagles during their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, and during the AFCON tournament, he netted three goals and provided an assist that were crucial in advancing Nigeria to the final of the competition.
Based on advanced data analysis, Lookman’s outstanding performances this season have positioned him as a leading candidate for the prestigious accolade.
According to an AI report by Sports Casting, Lookman is ranked first, with Brahim Diaz—who recently switched his allegiance from Spain to Morocco—in second place, and Mohamed Salah, with 39 goal contributions in 44 appearances for Liverpool, in third.
Lookman’s countryman, Victor Boniface, is placed fourth following his exceptional performance for Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal Cup in his first season with the German side.
While there has not been an official announcement regarding these predictions from any of the involved parties, Lookman’s performances in both the AFCON and Europa League finals make him a strong contender for the award.