Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has heaped praise on former teammate Ademola Lookman, calling him “humble and hardworking” after the Atalanta star was named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.
The prestigious award, presented in Marrakech, Morocco, saw Lookman beat out tough competition, including Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, and Ronwen Williams.
Lookman’s triumph marks a new high in his career, as he succeeds compatriot Victor Osimhen as Africa’s top footballer.
Dewsbury-Hall, who played alongside Lookman at Leicester City, expressed his pride in his friend’s achievements.
“Come a long way, so proud bro,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Most humble, hard-working guy. @Alookman_.”
2024 has been a breakthrough year for Lookman, whose performances for both club and country have been nothing short of extraordinary.
For Nigeria, Lookman was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Although they narrowly lost 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Lookman’s three goals and consistent displays earned him a place in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.
His success didn’t stop there. On the European stage, Lookman delivered a masterclass in the Europa League final, scoring a sensational hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
This historic performance cemented his status as one of the continent’s finest talents.
Lookman’s remarkable year also earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination, where he finished 14th—a rare feat for an African player.
The CAF award is a testament to Lookman’s resilience and growth. As Dewsbury-Hall rightly noted, his humility and tireless work ethic have propelled him to the pinnacle of African football.
With such an impressive 2024 behind him, the future looks even brighter for Ademola Lookman.