Lookman: To Be Crowned Africa’s Best Player Will Be a Dream!

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, who on Friday night fired Atalanta to the top of the Italian Serie A with a late winner against AC Milan has insisted that it will be a dream come true for him to be crowned African player of the Year.

Lookman who is in the final five-man shortlist by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the favorite to succeed his national teammate, Victor Osimhen, as the 2024 African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards ceremony scheduled to hold on December 16 in Morocco.

Speaking after leading Atalanta to yet another record making feat in the Italian topflight on Friday night, Lookman, said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for this prestigious (CAF) award. Of course, anyone who is nominated would like to win it. It’s a dream!,” he stressed the former England youth international.

The victory orchestrated by Lookman’s 87th minute winner moved Atalanta above  leaders Napoli  to 34 points from 15 games. La Dea are now unbeaten in their last nine Serie A matches.

The Super Eagles forward has now contributed six goals in their last seven games with four of the goals scored in the first half. Atalanta have now succeeded in equaling their club record of nine consecutive victories, set back in 2020!

Lookman however admitted that snatching win against a tough opponent like AC Milan was no mean feat.

“It’s a very important game against a very strong team that is doing well in the League. We performed well, three big points and we continue like this,” he said.

“I think we just continue to play the way we play, match by match. We believe in ourselves as a team, so we continue like this and stay together.”

Unless Napoli are able to snatch a win against Lazio tonight to leapfrog Atalanta, Lookman and his teammates will be more than happy to carry the form to Europe to confront Real Madrid in a Champions League clash on Tuesday. A win will seal Atalanta ‘s passage to the Last 16 round of the foremost UEFA club competition.

Both teams clashed in the UEFA Super Cup, the European season curtain raiser, with Real Madrid comfortable 2-0 winners.