Ademola Lookman picked over Mo Salah for top accolade

Atalanta's Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan, in Bergamo, Italy, 06 December 2024. EPA/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Dec 08, 2024. 15:00

DR Congo international Cédric Bakambu believes Nigerian star Ademola Lookman deserves to be named 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year.

This is despite Mohamed Salah’s scintillating form at club level which sees him placed at the top of the English Premier League scoring charts with 13 goals in 14 matches and also helped Liverpool win the 2023/24 English League Cup.

His omission from the list of nominees for the African Footballer of the Year award has left many baffling, while Lookman, Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund) Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) have been nominated.

Bakambu, who is on the books of Spanish La Liga side Real Betis, backed the 2023 AFCON runner-up with Nigeria and 2023/24 UEFA Europa League winner with Atalanta BC, Lookman to win the prestigious accolade.

“It’s difficult because now Mohamed Salah is playing very well but if I have to choose, my opinion, I’ll say Lookman, the player of Atalanta. He deserves it but after we will see,” Bakambu said on Sporty Show.

The 2024 edition of the CAF Awards is set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco on 16 December 2024.