'He has been more consistent' - Renowned Cameroonian coach predicts Lookman will win African POTY

Renowned Cameroonian coach François Ngoumou reckons Ademola Lookman is the favorite to win the African Footballer of the Year, saying the Atalanta forward has excelled at the highest level for club and country.

Lookman is one of the five nominees for the African Footballer of the Year award for 2024, presented by the Confederation of African Football.

The Super Eagles star is up against 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).

Lookman scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last season.

He was also named Atalanta's Player of the Year after inspiring the Nerazzurri to triumph in the Europa League, scoring a historic hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the showpiece.

In the Ballon d'Or rankings, Lookman secured 14th place, finishing ahead of notable Premier League players such as Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Speaking to Foot Africa, François Ngoumou said: "He was brilliant at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

"His performances with Atalanta were very interesting. He was able to assert himself and prove decisive in the Europa League."

Ngoumou has tipped the Nigeria international to win the African Player of the Year prize over Borussia Dortmund's Guinea striker Guirassy.

"Guirassy is all fired up after these two competitions.  Over the last twelve months, I think Lookman has been more consistent. He has shone at the highest level," he added. 

The winner of the African Footballer of the Year will be announced at the CAF Awards ceremony 2024 on Monday 16th December in Marrakech, Morocco.

Chippa United captain Stanley Nwabali and the Super Eagles are still in the running for the Goalkeeper of the Year and National Team of the Year respectively. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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