Afrigather Midway via the yr 2024, Ademola Lookman stays one of many robust contenders to be topped the following CAF Africa Footballer of the Yr.
It has been an eventful final six months for Lookman who started the yr in model on the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
In solely his maiden look on the continental championships, the Atalanta ahead fired three objectives and added an help to assist Nigeria declare a silver medal. He was deservedly named, alongside William Troost-Ekong, within the Workforce of the Match.
The previous RB Leipzig star returned to Italy with renewed confidence, which was evident as Atalanta reached the ultimate of the Copa Italia and the Europa League.
Atalanta misplaced to Juventus within the cup remaining however Lookman ensured the Goddess’ journey within the Europa League led to glory.
The Tremendous Eagles striker made historical past when he smashed a wonderful hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, changing into the primary African to attain thrice in a European Cup remaining.
A number of awards have flowed in direction of Lookman since that memorable evening in Dublin, together with Atalanta’s Participant of the Season and the Africa Worldwide Participant of the Yr on the Ghana Awards.
Nevertheless, essentially the most prestigious of all of them – the CAF Finest Participant Award – will solely be determined on the finish of the yr.
It is not going to be a straightforward win because the competitors is fierce.
Who can win the CAF Finest Participant award?
Lookman’s compatriot Victor Osimhen is the reigning African greatest and he stays in style on the continent regardless of a subdued displaying on the AFCON and Napoli’s struggles within the just-concluded marketing campaign.
A transfer to certainly one of Europe’s greatest golf equipment is on the playing cards and it might rework his scores within the second half of the yr.
Then there may be Guinea worldwide striker Serhou Yadaly Guirassy who hit an unbelievable 28 objectives in 28 Bundesliga video games to encourage Stuttgart to a second-place end forward of Bayern Munich. It was the membership’s greatest end since profitable the title in 2007.
Tremendous Eagles striker Victor Boniface additionally has a shout after profitable the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award for serving to Bayer Leverkusen declare their first-ever German league and cup double.
There may be additionally Morocco and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi in addition to Gabon and Olympique de Marseille ahead Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was named the Europa League Participant of the Season after ending because the competitors’s high scorer.
And never forgetting two-time African Footballer of the Yr and Egypt’s hero Mohamed Salah, who stays Liverpool’s goalscoring talisman.
A wonderful queue of competitors certainly.
Does Lookman have an edge?
All of Lookman’s rivals for the CAF award – aside from Osimhen, for now – shall be concerned within the UEFA Champions League, the place they’ll get the prospect to attempt to outdo each other.
Lookman, although, has a slight benefit going ahead. The 26-year-old attacker can lay his arms on one other prestigious title earlier than the season even begins.
Lookman and Atalanta will face Actual Madrid within the UEFA Tremendous Cup – a battle of the Europa League champions and the Champions League winners.
The match slated for the Stadion Narodowy in Warszawa, Poland, on August 14 presents Lookman with one other likelihood to point out the remainder of the world his medical effectivity in entrance of purpose.
Absolutely a purpose or two towards essentially the most profitable membership on the earth – add the trophy in addition – will definitely elevate Lookman because the primary contender for the Africa Finest Participant award.
Is Lookman prepared for the problem forward?
Lookman is aware of this and he has been working laborious over the summer time, making ready for the challenges forward.
After that includes for Nigeria towards South Africa and Benin in June, Lookman took a brief break in Jamaica. After his holidays, he returned to work in a Portuguese resort the place he constructed a small soccer pitch to coach on.
By the primary week in July, Lookman was in impeccable form, able to return to Bergamo to affix Atalanta’s preseason camp.
Already miles forward in health and dedication, the previous Everton ahead solely wants to seek out his vary, rhythm, and ruthlessness in entrance of purpose to catapult Atalanta to new heights and himself to the CAF podium because the continent’s best in 2024.
