by Alabi Moronfoluwa
Nigerian and Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman has made the final five shortlisted players for the African Men’s Best Player Award. The diminutive forward, who has been on a superb run of form for the past year, will be pitted against Serhou Guirassy of Guinea and Borrusia Dortmund, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint Germain and Morocco, Ronwen Williams of South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns and Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast and Brighton. The coveted award is currently held by Ademola’s fellow countryman, Victor Osimhen.
Elsewhere, his fellow countryman, Stanley Nwabali, made the final five shortlist for the best goalkeeper on the continent. Nwabali, who mans the posts for Chippa United in South Africa, was instrumental in his country’s second-place finish at the last AFCON.
Following a season that saw him score a hat trick in the Europa League final, Lookman has continued this season excellently, leading his club, Atalanta, both in the Serie A and the Champions League. His exploits have also seen him guide his country, Nigeria, to the next Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco in 2025. Ademola is a solid favorite to be crowned the best player come December 16 in the beautiful city of Marakkesh.
