Atalanta and Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was crowned the 2024 CAF Player of the Year on Monday evening in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The 27-year-old triumphed over Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, and Ronwen Williams to claim Africa’s most prestigious individual football honour.
Lookman’s triumph adds to Nigeria's legacy in the history of the CAF Player of the Year award, setting new records and reinforcing the country's dominance on the continent.
Here, we take a closer look at the three major records Ademola Lookman has set with his CAF Player of the Year win, and what they mean for Nigeria’s rich football heritage.
Lookman takes Nigeria to seven wins: Most in Africa
Lookman’s win marks the seventh time a Nigerian has won the CAF Player of the Year award, the most by any country in Africa. This showcases Nigeria’s consistent production of world-class talent over the decades.
Ivory Coast boast six CAF Player of the Year titles, with Yaya Toure claiming four and Didier Drogba winning twice. Cameroon follows with five, thanks to Samuel Eto'o's four wins and Patrick M'Boma's single triumph.
Nigeria leads the way with seven titles, won in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2023, and now 2024.
The CAF Player of the Year award, in its current form, officially began in 1992.
Nigeria now has six different winners
With Lookman’s addition to the list, Nigeria holds the record for the most diverse set of winners in the award's history.
The South London-born forward joins Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Osimhen, making it six different players from one nation, an unparalleled feat in African football.
No African country can boast of more than two different winners except Nigeria.
Nigeria now first to win back-to-back awards twice with different players
Lookman’s success ensures Nigeria becomes the only country to claim back-to-back CAF Player of the Year titles twice with different players each time.
Rashidi Yekini (1993) and Emmanuel Amuneke (1994) first achieved this historic feat, and it has now been repeated with Victor Osimhen (2023) and Ademola Lookman (2024).
This remarkable accomplishment underscores Nigeria’s ability to consistently produce top-class talent capable of dominating African football.
