Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke has endorsed Ademola Lookman as a strong candidate to succeed Victor Osimhen as Africa’s top player.
Osimhen won the prestigious award last year after leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in over 30 years. Lookman is now a leading contender for the accolade following an impressive season both for club and country.
The 26-year-old Ademola Lookman scored three goals in seven matches for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
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His outstanding performances earned him a spot on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist, making him the only African nominee.
Amuneke believes Ademola Lookman is well-positioned to win the award if he maintains his current form. “He’s in line to be crowned CAF Player of the Year if he continues like this,” Amuneke told SportsBoom. “His recent performance against Rwanda was outstanding, demonstrating his solidification in African football.”
Reflecting on past Nigerian winners like Ikpeba and Kanu, Amuneke expressed enthusiasm for another Nigerian taking home the award.
“It would be a joyous occasion and a great motivation for our young players. We need to continue supporting our players both in Europe and our local leagues to foster a thriving football ecosystem.”
