Ex-Lazio player backs Atalanta's Lookman for Africa's best

Posted : 31 October 2024

As the highly anticipated CAF Africa Player of the Year awards draw closer, former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has openly expressed his backing for Ademola Lookman, Atalanta’s standout forward, to claim the award. Onazi, who is deeply familiar with Lookman's progress, regards him as the most outstanding footballer in Africa this year and sees him as a prime candidate for the continent’s top individual honor.

Ademola Lookman’s performances this season have been nothing short of remarkable, both on the international stage and for his club. Playing for Nigeria, the 27-year-old winger proved instrumental at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire, where he netted three goals and added an assist. His offensive prowess propelled the Super Eagles to the tournament’s final, making him Nigeria’s standout player of the competition.

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At the club level, Lookman continued to shine brightly. He was at the heart of Atalanta’s memorable Europa League run, delivering a stellar performance that took the Italian side all the way to the final. In a landmark match against Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman made history as the first African to score a hat-trick in a European final, helping Atalanta secure their inaugural Europa League title.

Lookman’s achievements have resonated globally, attracting attention beyond Africa. His outstanding form earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination, a prestigious nod that saw him finish 14th in the world rankings and as Serie A’s second-best player. This impressive ranking added another layer of validation to his CAF Africa Player of the Year nomination, positioning him among the elite.

Onazi is confident that Lookman’s accomplishments should put him ahead in the race for Africa’s highest honor. Praising Lookman’s work ethic and dedication, Onazi shared his pride in the Nigerian forward’s success and believes his nomination reflects his immense quality. He emphasized Lookman’s exceptional contributions last season, highlighting that his achievements merit recognition on the African stage.

Lookman now leads a lineup of notable contenders for the CAF award, set to be awarded in a grand ceremony in Marrakech. Among his competitors are celebrated African stars, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi of PSG, Serhou Guirassy from Guinea playing for Borussia Dortmund, and Algeria’s Amine Gouiri from Rennes. Despite the fierce competition, Lookman’s extraordinary season makes him a favorite.

As the awards approach, Onazi remains hopeful that Lookman’s efforts will be rewarded. With 10 goal involvements already this season, Lookman continues to impress and build upon last year’s success.

Ex-Lazio player backs Atalanta's Lookman for Africa's best

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