Ademola Lookman is considered the clear favourite to win the CAF Africa Men’s Player of the Year award; however, a different view has been aired, with a former Chelsea winger named as the most deserving player to receive the accolade.
Lookman has been in red-hot form for his club, Atalanta, throughout 2024, contributing hugely to his 27 goal involvements during the 2023-2024 campaign. This includes a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final, which helped the Italian side clinch their first European trophy.
He has carried this incredible form into the current season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances.
On the international front, the 27-year-old winger has been of great importance for the Nigerian national team, scoring three goals and providing one assist during the 2023 AFCON tournament to help the Super Eagles reach the final.
He also added two goals during the recently concluded AFCON qualifiers, securing Nigeria’s spot in the 2025 continental championship in Morocco.
Lookman snubbed for Salah as CAF POTY-deserved winner
Despite these impressive performances, French coach Denis Lavagne has named Mohamed Salah—who did not make the final five CAF POTY nominees—as the most deserving winner of the award.
Salah has been in top form for Liverpool, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in 20 appearances this season. Lavagne argued that the Egyptian should be this year’s recipient, disagreeing with CAF’s released nominations list.
“Even though he was not shortlisted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), I think that the Egyptian Mohamed Salah fully deserves the trophy for best African Player of the Year,” Lavagne told Foot Africa.
“He has done great things with Liverpool and with the Pharaohs. In my opinion, he is currently the best African player.”
Meanwhile, Lookman will have an opportunity to add to his tally when Atalanta travel to Roma for their matchday 15 encounter.
