'Lookman seems well placed' - Tunisia great believes Nigeria forward is favourite to win African POTY

Legendary Tunisia central defender Radhi Jaïdi, winner of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, reckons Ademola Lookman is in pole position to win the prestigious African Footballer of the Year.

Apart from the Super Eagles forward, four other outstanding African players are in the running for the top individual prize in African football, namely Simon Adingra (Côte d'Ivoire/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).

Last season, Lookman netted 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 45 appearances, earning Atalanta's Player of the Year honor, and was the Player of the Match in the Europa League showpiece against Bayer Leverkusen.

Internationally, he played a pivotal role in Nigeria's journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring three goals in seven matches and making the official Team of the Tournament.

Former Southampton player Radhi Jaïdi believes Lookman’s remarkable Europa League final hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen makes him a worthy candidate for African Footballer of the Year.

Speaking to Foot Africa, Jaidi, who earned over 100 caps for Tunisia during his playing days said: “I think that the Nigerian Ademola Lookman seems best placed to win this personal distinction, he who achieved the feat of scoring a hat-trick with his club Atalanta Bergamo in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.”

Jaidi faced the Super Eagles three times at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Tunisia losing twice and winning once on penalties. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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