Ademola Lookman’s phenomenal year with Atalanta and Nigeria’s Super Eagles has sparked strong support for his candidacy for the CAF Player of the Year award, a sentiment echoed by Patrick Pascal, Nigeria’s national team coordinator, and former Royal Antwerp star.
The forward was instrumental for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), guiding the Super Eagles to the final under Jose Peseiro with three goals and an assist.
His club performances have been just as impressive, highlighted by a memorable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, clinching Atalanta’s first-ever European title.
Throughout the 2023/2024 season, Lookman contributed an impressive 33 goal involvements across all competitions, showcasing his consistency and playmaking ability for both club and country.
Pascal blows hot ahead of CAF Award
Pascal, who chairs the Bauchi State Football Association, expressed his strong belief in his candidacy, saying that “journalists will finish CAF” if the 27-year-old does not secure the award.
“If Ademola Lookman doesn’t win this CAF award, journalists will finish CAF. The whole world will finish them.
“What are you going to tell people? So Ademola Lookman stands a good chance to win.” he told Brila FM
Despite Lookman’s remarkable run, support across Africa has been mixed. In the recent Ballon d’Or voting, a Nigerian journalist ranked Lookman as his top choice, with backing also coming from Côte d’Ivoire, where he ranked fifth.
However, several North African nations, including Algeria and Tunisia, omitted him from their top 10, a development that underscores regional differences and potentially reveals how CAF voting could play out.
With the CAF Awards scheduled for December 16 in Marrakesh, Lookman’s 33 goal contributions for the 2023/24 season, alongside his impressive start this term, position him as a favorite.
