Atalanta of Italy winger, Ademola Lookman has been ranked high in a roll call of five former African Footballer of The Year award winners who are still in contention to win the ongoing AFCON 2025 trophy in Morocco.
Sports247 reports that, while Egypt, Senegal and Morocco have only one player each in the class of former APOY winners left chasing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, Lookman joins his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, on the list.
Read Also: AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Tipped To Improve, Play Better Against Morocco
Incidentally, the crafty winger, who previously played for Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham and Leicester City of England as well as RB Leipzig of Germany took over the prestigious award from Osimhen, who won it in 2023.
Dramatically, there is still a strong hint that Lookman will join Osimhen at Galatasaray of Turkey before the end of this month, despite their recent on-field face-off against Mozambique in the round of 16.
Both players have repeatedly downplayed any undercurrents or inferences from that spat, and said they are fully focused on reaching the AFCON final for a second straight edition.
Ahead of Nigeria’s last-four clash with the host nation, the website of Confederation of African Football (CAF) hyped both semi-finals with a historic feature about five former APOY winners still chasing the title.
Listed alongside Lookman and Osimhen are 2025 winner, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco as well as Mohamed Salah of Egypt (2017; 2018) and Sadio Mane of Senegal (2019; 2022).
Among the glorious quintet, a citation by cafonline for the Atalanta star noted, “Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria’s creative engine at AFCON 2025.
“The 2024 African Player of the Year has combined end product with imagination, contributing three goals and four assists in a tournament-defining run.
“Operating across the frontline, Lookman’s direct running and sharp decision-making have unlocked organised defences and given Nigeria variety in attack.
“His consistency has ensured that the Super Eagles are not reliant on a single source of inspiration, making them one of the most balanced attacking sides left in the competition.”
