By Abiola Olawale
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final three-man shortlist for the esteemed CAF Player of the Year award, a recognition that highlights the remarkable achievements of athletes who have excelled during the 2023/2024 season.
Two exceptional Nigerian talents, Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface are part of the three-man shortlist.
Completing this prestigious shortlist is the Moroccan sensation Brahim Diaz.
The prestigious CAF Awards ceremony will take place on December 16 in Morocco.
The New Diplomat reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman had an outstanding year for both club and country in the 2023/24 football season.
He is currently the favourite for the CAF Player of the Year award.
In the 2023/2024 season, Lookman, the 26-year-old winger helped Atalanta win the UEFA Europa League and was named the club’s Player of the Year.
Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, becoming the first player to net a treble in a one-legged European final since 1969.
On 4 September 2024, Lookman became the first Atalanta player ever to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or, thanks to his performances for both Atalanta and Nigeria during their run to the AFCON final.
He was also included in the Europa League Team of the Season, alongside only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the other African player.
Lookman was Nigeria’s joint-top scorer at AFCON 2024, alongside Troost-Ekong, and both were named in the Team of the Tournament.
Also, Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has been instrumental for Bayer Leverkusen, where he continues to rise as one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.
Boniface had an exceptional 2023/2024 season, winning the Bundesliga title, the German Cup, and the German Super Cup.
In his debut season at Bayer, he netted 14 goals in the league and 21 in all competitions, despite being sidelined by injury for part of the campaign
In a similar vein, Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz played a key role in winning multiple titles, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup, solidifying his impact on both club and country.
