AJIBADE OLUSESAN 
AJIBADE OLUSESAN writes that Ademola Lookman has risen to become one of the continent’s most electrifying football talents, and his 2024 campaign solidifies his case for being named the African Footballer of the Year.
Ademola Lookman’s calm demeanour off the pitch can be mistaken for a lack of ambition, but the Super Eagles striker’s magic on the football field with the grace of a seasoned maestro for both club and country is obviously driven not only by his supreme talent but also by his fierce determination to be one of the best in the game.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, is regarded as the poster boy of the Super Eagles, but Lookman is on a steady path to becoming the crown jewel of African football for what he has achieved this year for the Super Eagles and his Italian club, Atalanta.
The Eagles had endured a torrid period both on and off the field when the former African champions went seven matches without a victory since they reached the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire last January, but Lookman posted a five-star performance last Saturday to change the corner for his darling country as Nigeria walloped the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 3-0 in the opening fixture of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He scored a sublime brace in the desperately-needed, confidence-boosting victory, days after after he was nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.
The recognition is historic for the Nigerian, as he succeeds Osimhen in the glorious list. Being the only African in the 30-man list underlines his excellent run in the year under review
Joined league of Nigerian Ballon d’Or nominees
He becomes the eighth Nigerian to receive this prestigious nod, signalling a return to the golden era when Nigerian footballers were regularly recognized among the world’s elite.
Lookman’s inclusion in the list, one year after Osimhen was so recognized, continues a proud tradition that began in the mid1990s when Nigerian players consistently appeared on the Ballon d’Or shortlist between 1995 and 1999.
In 1995, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, and Austin Okocha earned nominations for the Ballon d’Or. Of the trio, only Finidi managed to break into the top 30, finishing 21st with six votes. Amokachi and Okocha, despite their stellar performances, did not receive votes that year.
The following year, Kanu Nwankwo emerged as Nigeria’s standout, finishing 11th in the 1996 Ballon d’Or race, just ahead of Liberia’s George Weah, who placed 12th. Kanu continued to be a regular on the list, earning another nomination in 1999, finishing 23rd.
During that period, other Nigerian stars also gained international recognition. Victor Ikpeba placed 32nd in the 1997 rankings, while Sunday Oliseh received a nomination in 1998, though he did not garner any votes.
That dance in Dublin capped a remarkable season for a star that had opened the year with a remarkable show for his country at the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
That was his first AFCON but he emerged as one of the biggest stars of the competition, finishing as the Eagles joint-top striker with three goals.
Osimhen was supposed to be the biggest scoring outlet for the Eagles, but the then Napoli forward struggled for form as the team finished the preliminary round with just three goals in as many matches.
Lookman stepped forward from the round of 16 as he hit three goals en route to the final and provided an all-round show that earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament.
His nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2024—alongside the world’s best players—underscores the recognition he has earned for his performances. Yet, his coronation as Africa’s finest footballer can really define an excellent year he has had so far.
Endorsements from past winners
“Lookman deserves to be the next CAF Player of the Year, he took his chance and I am absolutely proud of what he has achieved,” an ex-international and former winner Ikpeba said.
“He has no serious rival for the CAF Award, and his winning it will be great for Nigerian football.” “I remember when I won the award in 1997, I was the only African nominated for the Ballon d’Or and I went on to be named CAF Player of the Year. It’s the same with him now, and that is a massive step to be the CAF Player of the Year as well.
“He’s humble, takes a lot of pride playing for Nigeria and carries himself very well. There’s no drama around him, he plays for Nigeria and goes back to continue to be busy on the pitch with his club. “He is a true model for millions of young players as someone who never gave up despite many challenges in his career.
“It’s just rather strange that the media have not accorded him the recognition that he richly deserves.” “To see Ademola in this kind of situation, I am really happy for him because I know a few of his stories, and also in terms of football, he deserves every good thing that comes his way because he’s also a very good guy,”
Osimhen the current holder of the award, told Counter Attack Podcast. “He’s a passionate guy, he does his job diligently. I’m really happy for him but of course we all know he’s going to win the African Player of the Year. One hundred percent for sure, he will win it.
