Tremendous Eagles ahead Ademola Lookman has emerged because the overwhelming favorite for the 2024 CAF Participant of the 12 months award following his historic and noteworthy Europa League exploits with Atalanta and a Ballon d’Or nomination, PUNCH Sports activities Further reviews.
The Atalanta star, who made historical past as the primary participant to attain a hat-trick in a European membership competitors ultimate throughout his membership’s conquer Bayer Leverkusen final season, has been getting huge backing from followers on social media since CAF introduced the names of the ten nominees on Thursday night time.
“Being the primary participant in historical past to attain three targets in a European ultimate makes Ademola Lookman a favorite amongst soccer followers worldwide for the African Participant of the 12 months award,” Bala_The_Game_Changer wrote on X.
The 27-year-old’s nomination comes as no shock following an distinctive 12 months that additionally noticed him rating 11 targets and rendered seven assists in 31 Serie A video games for Atalanta and have become the one African participant nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
“I believed it was loopy after I noticed my identify within the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Being the one African participant on the record makes it much more particular,” Lookman instructed France Soccer not too long ago.
Some followers imagine the award ought to be handed to him with out ceremony, with @jujupunte stating, “All these are usually not obligatory. They’re alleged to take the award straight to Lookman in his sitting room.”
The Nigeria worldwide faces competitors from compatriot William Troost-Ekong and eight different nominees, together with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Algeria’s Amine Gouiri.
“This award is undisputed for Ademola Lookman… Even the opposite 9 know this,” Maximus Dex wrote on X.
Nevertheless, the exclusion of in-form striker Victor Boniface and present holder Victor Osimhen from the shortlist has sparked a debate amongst followers.
“Have to be a joke. How did Boniface not make this record? Ademola Lookman will win, although, however Boniface needs to be on the record. What’s the standards?” MSN questioned on X.
The winner will probably be introduced on the upcoming CAF Awards 2024, the place Lookman hopes to succeed Osimhen as Africa’s prime participant.