Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke has endorsed Ademola Lookman as a strong candidate to succeed Victor Osimhen as Africa’s best player.
Osimhen claimed the CAF Player of the Year award last year after leading Serie A club Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades. This year, Amuneke believes Lookman, who has delivered exceptional performances for both club and country, is well-positioned to win the accolade.
The 26-year-old Lookman made significant contributions at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals in seven appearances for Nigeria. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph, notably scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman’s stellar form has earned him a spot on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist, marking him as the only African player among the nominees.
Amuneke expressed his confidence in Lookman’s potential to win the CAF Player of the Year award, saying, “He’s in line (to be crowned CAF Player of the Year winner) if he continues the way he is doing.”
“I watched the last game against Rwanda, and his performance was outstanding. It shows that he has been able to consolidate himself with African football,” Amuneke added.
Reflecting on past winners, Amuneke noted, “When I won it, I think Ikpeba won it again, and then Kanu. If a Nigerian wins it next, it is definitely a joyous one. It’s a thing of great motivation that shows the future is bright for our young players.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of supporting Nigerian players both in Europe and in local leagues, stating, “We need to continue to support our players, both in Europe and in our local leagues. We all need one another to form the ecological system that governs our football, for our football to thrive.”
