By Ojukwu Emmanuel Chiadikaobi
The football world is abuzz after Ademola Lookman’s outstanding performance in the Europa League final, where his hat-trick led Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has publicly endorsed his teammate for the prestigious African Player of the Year award, following a season that has seen the forward rise to stardom.
Lookman, 26, was the undeniable hero in Dublin, where his three goals not only secured Atalanta’s first Europa League title but also handed Leverkusen their only loss of the season, ending their bid for an unbeaten campaign. The German team, known as the Bundesliga Invincibles, had entered the match without a single defeat in all competitions this season.
Omeruo, who watched his teammate’s stunning display, took to Twitter to proclaim Lookman as the deserving recipient of the CAF Player of the Year award. “Your African Player of the Year – Super Eagles defender Omeruo tells CAF after Lookman’s UEL masterclass,” Omeruo tweeted, solidifying the sentiment with a picture of Lookman holding his man-of-the-match award.
The Nigerian forward’s journey to this point has been nothing short of spectacular. Joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig, Lookman has adapted seamlessly to Italian football, scoring 15 goals across all competitions this season. His final’s hat-trick not only cements his place as a key player for Atalanta but also boosts his profile on the international stage, especially ahead of the CAF awards.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Nigerian players, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, faced a challenging night, overshadowed by Lookman’s brilliance. As the football community celebrates Lookman’s achievements, discussions and speculations about potential moves and his future on the international stages are already underway.
The African Player of the Year award, given by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), recognizes the best African footballer each year and has been won by some of the greatest players from the continent. Lookman’s nomination and potential win would mark a significant milestone in his career, positioning him among the elite of African football.
