- Safiu Kehinde
Super Eagles’ forward, Ademola Lookman, has emerged winner of the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year.
As anticipated, the Nigerian was finally crowned the best African player of the year at the CAF awards night in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Lookman pipped four other contenders which include, Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa), to win the most prestigious award in African football.
In his appreciation speech, Lookman stirred the audience as he rendered a brief word of appreciation to Nigerians in Yoruba.
“E kaale Nigeria. Mo ki gbogboyin. E se mo dupe.” The Atalanta forward said.
He, however, expressed his gratitude to God for the award.
He further extended his appreciation to his teammates in Atalanta as well as the Super Eagles.
The newly African player of the year ended his address with a note of encouragement to young ones as he reflected on his struggles four years ago.
“First, I want to thank the Almighty God for everything he has been doing in my life and everything he has been blessinge with.
“I want to thank the President, ally teammates -club and country. I want to thank them for the support and love they gave me.
“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation.
“To be recognized as the best player in Africa is something incredible and I’m extremely proud of it.
“Just over four years ago, I fell in front of the world and fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa.
“I want to say to the young children and people watching this. Don’t let failure weigh you down that they break your wings. Turn your pain into power and continue to fly.” The CAF player of the year said.