“LOOKMAN LEADS RACE FOR NFF PLAYER OF THE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC EUROPA LEAGUE FEATS”
With the European season drawing to a close, the race for this coveted title is wide open, but Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman has emerged as the clear frontrunner following his sensational performance in the Europa League final.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last held its award ceremony in 2021. Recently, the NFF announced the introduction of a virtual monthly award. However, if the leadership at Sunday Dankaro House decides to revive the prestigious NFF Footballer of the Year award after a three-year hiatus, the frontrunner for the title would be 26-year-old winger Ademola Lookman, thanks to his outstanding performances for Atalanta this season.
Ademola Lookman: The Clear Frontrunner
Domestic and European Success: Lookman has been a revelation for Atalanta, consistently delivering impressive performances in Serie A. His standout moment came in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored a sensational hat-trick, leading Atalanta to their first-ever European trophy. This historic feat made Lookman the first African player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final and only the sixth player ever to achieve such a feat in a major UEFA competition final.
Season Statistics: Throughout the season, Lookman has been instrumental for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, contributing 15 goals and 8 assists across all competitions. His versatility and attacking prowess have been crucial to Atalanta’s success in both Serie A and the Europa League.
International Duty: Lookman’s impressive form extends to his international performances with the Super Eagles. He was a key player for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), earning a place in the Team of the Tournament by scoring three goals, assisting two, and helping Nigeria reach the final.
Other Contenders
Victor Boniface: The 23-year-old forward for Bayer Leverkusen had a phenomenal season in Germany, playing a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title win. He amassed 21 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. However, his bid for a treble was thwarted by Lookman’s heroics in the Europa League final. Despite Leverkusen still being in contention for the DFB Pokal, Lookman’s individual impact and Europa League triumph weigh more heavily in his favor.
Victor Osimhen: The reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, Osimhen, remains a strong contender despite Napoli’s lack of silverware this season. With 17 goals and 3 assists in 30 Serie A appearances, Osimhen continues to be one of Africa’s most dangerous strikers. However, his lack of trophies and slightly lower overall impact compared to Lookman weaken his claim for the NFF award.
Wilfred Ndidi: The 27-year-old midfielder has transformed under Leicester City’s manager Enzo Maresca, evolving from a defensive shield into a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. Ndidi played a crucial role in Leicester’s return to the Premier League, contributing 6 goals and 6 assists in 35 Championship appearances. Despite his remarkable transformation and contributions, the NFF award traditionally focuses on attacking prowess, making Ndidi an unlikely contender for the top prize.
Conclusion
Based on his historic performance in a major European final, consistent contributions throughout the season, and impressive showing at AFCON, Ademola Lookman is the clear favorite for the NFF Player of the Year award. While Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen have also had strong seasons, Lookman’s achievements on the biggest stages and his overall impact make him the most likely candidate to be crowned the NFF’s best player in 2024. However, the final decision rests with the NFF Awards committee, who may consider factors beyond pure statistics.
