Nigeria's own Ademola Lookman has openly expressed his ambition to clinch the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year award. The Atalanta winger, who has been in scintillating form this season, is among the five final nominees for the accolade.
Lookman, who plays for Serie A club Atalanta and represents the Nigeria national team, is considered a hot favorite for the award. His nomination follows a stellar performance that saw him named Man of the Match in Atalanta’s recent victory over AC Milan. Reflecting on his nomination, Lookman shared with Sky Sports Italy, “It’s an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award. Of course, anyone who is nominated would like to win it. It’s a dream!”
The CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, which recognizes the best African footballer annually, has seen Nigerian players shine in the past. Victor Osimhen, Lookman's compatriot, won the award last year, breaking a 24-year drought for Nigeria since Nwankwo Kanu's triumph in 1999. Lookman aims to follow in Osimhen's footsteps, potentially marking a historic back-to-back win for Nigeria—a feat not achieved since Emmanuel Amuneke succeeded Rashidi Yekini in 1994.
Atalanta's recent form has been nothing short of remarkable, with their ninth consecutive Serie A victory placing them temporarily at the top of the table. Lookman, who scored a decisive goal against Milan, emphasized the importance of consistency and teamwork. “I think we just continue to play the way we play, match by match. We believe in ourselves as a team, so we continue like this and stay together,” he stated post-match.
As the anticipation builds for the CAF Awards, scheduled to be announced in less than 10 days, Lookman remains focused on both his individual aspirations and his contributions to Atalanta's ongoing success. With the club eyeing further glory in the Champions League, Lookman and his teammates are poised for a season of potential triumphs.
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