Victor Osimhen has backed his countryman Ademola Lookman to win the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year award.
Lookman had a fantastic 2023–2024 season for both club and country. The 26-year-old was a crucial player in the Super Eagles’ run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, also scoring a hattrick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen to help Atalanta to their first ever continental title.
In addition to his Europa heroics, the Nigerian winger scored a total of 17 goals and provided 10 assists for the Italian side last season, according to Transfer Markt.
Last week, Lookman was named in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award and Osimhen, who made the cut the previous year, has expressed happiness for his fellow Nigerian.
The current African Player of the year also tipped Lookman to succeed him in winning the CAF POTY award this year.
What Victor Osimhen said
“To see Ademola in this kind of situation, I am really happy for him because I know 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 said, as quoted by All Nigeria Soccer.
“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.
“I already told him he’s bringing it home and he deserves it as he has done so well for us It’s a win for Nigeria because he has represented us well. He has carried the team so he deserves his moment and I pray to God that he’s really going to win it,” he added.
Lookman increased his chances of winning the CAF POTY award by scoring a brace as the Super Eagles recorded a convincing 3-0 win against Benin Republic in the AFCON qualifiers.
