'I say Lookman' — Cameroon star backs Super Eagles' ace for CAF Men's Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman's claim to being the best player over the past year, hailing from and representing an African nation, is ironclad; hence, he is viewed by many, including Cameroon’s Flavien Enzo Boyomo, as a shoo-in for the CAF Men's Player of the Year Award. 

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The 23-year-old centre-back, like Lookman, is of dual nationality. He was born in Toulouse, France, but recently, he began his international career for his country of descent, Cameroon. 

Speaking on an interview with ESPN Africa, the defender, who plies his trade for Osasuna in LALIGA, was asked who he thought should win the African player of the year, and the former Albacete man wasted no time replying, Lookman, citing the 27-year-old's triumph in the Europa League last season. 

“I'll say Lookman. Because he won the Europa League, so I think he's the one that's got the best chance to win it this year.”

Just like Victor Osimhen before him last year, the perception ahead of the gala is that Lookman is heads and shoulders above the rest of the competition for CAF’s coveted prize. 

The former Fulham man began his year by charging Nigeria’s ambitions at the AFCON, scoring three goals (most in the squad) to help the Super Eagles to a silver medal.

The moment that cemented his place amongst greats, however, was midway through the year, when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final to inflict Bayer Leverkusen’s only defeat of the season and hand Atalanta their first-ever European trophy. 

His exploits already earned him 14th place in the Ballon d’Or rankings—he was the only African in the top 30—hence he is considered CAF’s Men's Player of the Year in waiting.