Ordinarily, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman should be crowned the African Player of the Year at tonight 2024 CAF Awards at the Palais des Congrés in the Moroccan City of Marrakech.
But there’s always element of unpredictability in the awards over the years with the likes of Segun Odegbami, Jay Okocha, Mikel Obi missing the coveted crown despite all the accolades and fingers pointing to them as likely winners.
Only last year, Victor Osimhen won the award making him the sixth Nigerians to have won the awards after the likes of Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997).
If Lookman eventually wins, it will also mean ‘Mola’ taking over from fellow Nigeria striker Osimhen. Cote d’Ivoire’s six have been won by Yaya Toure (quadruple) and Didier Drogba (double).
Lookman will be the favourite to succeed Osimhen as Africa’s No 1 player of 2024 though there are other contenders jostling for the coveted prize too.
CAF said the voting, which has involved coaches and captains of national team’s, journalists and the CAF technical committee, is “too close to call”.
However, the records clearly showed that Ademola Lookman has not only been outstanding but consistent for both club and country to become the seventh Nigerian to be crowned King of African Football.
A transfer to ambitious Atalanta after numerous loan spells across Europe and a change of international allegiance from England to Nigeria have turned his career around.
Even after many months, Lookman unforgettable hat-trick for his Italian club to win the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history is still being talked about.
In the year of the AFCON, he scored thrice and provided an assist for the Super Eagles to reach the final of the continent’s showpiece event.
He was outstanding throughout the AFCON and propel the Super Eagles to finals with his scintillating soccer artistry.
He was the only African nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, where he ranked a commendable 14th.
Like last year, ‘Home boy’ Achraf Hakimi will be the main rival of Lookman.
He captained Morocco to win bronze at the Paris Olympics and has continued to catch the eye with perennial French Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Whatever happens, there will podium applause for Nigerians at the event in Morocco.
The Super Eagles and the Super Falcons have been considered for the National Team of the Year for both the men and women’s categories.
The Super Eagles were beaten the final of the 2023 AFCON, qualified for the 2025 AFCON, but their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are hanging precariously in the balance as they have failed to win after four rounds of matches.
The Super Falcons, on the other hand, stopped reigning WAFCON champions South Africa to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Paris Olympics though will prove to be a huge anti-climax as they lost all three group games.