A recently leaked outcome might not go down pretty well with Nigerians, showing Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman losing the CAF Africa Men’s Best Player award to Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi.
Lookman is widely considered the clear favourite to win the much-coveted award after a fruitful 2024 where he helped Atalanta secure their first European title. He netted a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final as La Dea defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
The 27-year-old concluded the 2023-2024 campaign with Atalanta on 17 goals and 11 assists, most of those coming in 2024. He has kept on this season, netting 11 goals so far with five assists.
On the international scene, he was also key to Nigeria’s reaching the final of the 2023 AFCON with three goals and an assist throughout the competition.
Hakimi, on his part, was instrumental in Morocco’s Olympic bronze medal, while at club level, he played a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions titles.
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Reports claim Hakimi beats Lookman to CAF POTY
Reports in the French, Moroccan, and Egyptian media have been rife that the Real Madrid academy product is leading the race for the African Player of the Year award.
According to a report from Al Ahly TV on Saturday, Hakimi is expected to be announced as African Footballer of the Year and will travel in a private jet with PSG president Nasser Al Khelaïfi to Marrakech after Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against Lyon.
French football magazine Onze Mondial has further fuelled speculation about the Moroccan’s triumph, marking a major twist in the race.
The award ceremony will be held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech on Monday, December 16.
