Cedric Bakambu, a forward for DR Congo, has expressed his belief that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is well-deserving of the 2024 African Player of the Year award, gathered Nigeriasoccernet.com.
The prestigious award will be presented at the 2024 CAF Awards, set to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 16.
Lookman has had an exceptional year, delivering standout performances for both Atalanta and the Nigerian national team. His impressive form helped him secure a notable 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings, signaling his rise in the world of football.
The 27-year-old was shortlisted as one of the five final nominees for the African Footballer of the Year title, alongside notable players like Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, and Ronwen Williams.
Speaking on Sporty TV, Bakambu strongly backed Lookman for the award, praising his talent and impact on the pitch: "It's difficult, but if I have to choose, I’ll say Lookman, the player of Atalanta. He deserves it, but after we will see."
Lookman has been in stellar form for Atalanta this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in just twelve Serie A matches. His performances have contributed to Atalanta's impressive position at the top of the Serie A table, where they are contending with Napoli and Inter Milan for the title.
In addition to his domestic success, Lookman made history by becoming the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in a European Cup final, leading Atalanta to a UEFA Europa League victory over an undefeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen in May.
With his growing reputation, Lookman is attracting the attention of several top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. Atalanta is reportedly working on extending Lookman’s contract, which currently runs until 2026. However, with the January transfer window approaching, their president, Antonio Percassi, has reiterated the club's intention to retain the player amidst increasing interest.
Oluwayemi Omolagba