Following Victor Osimhen’s historic win at the 2023 Africa Player of the Year awards, ending Nigeria’s 24-year drought, the exceptional performances of Nigerian players in the 2023/24 season suggest that the nation could secure the prestigious title once again in 2024.
Two Nigerian players stand out: Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface. Coincidentally, both faced off in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, 22 June, in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium. At the end of the match, it was Lookman’s name that was on everyone’s lips. His stellar performance, scoring a hat trick, led Atalanta to their first-ever European title, ending a 61-year drought and cementing his name in football history.
“I’ve always had confidence in my ability to create, to score goals, to help my teammates,” the 26-year-old said in the post-match press conference. “In the past two years, I’ve been able to take my game to a whole new level. Maybe [my best form] could have come earlier, but it’s come now. This is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this and to just keep getting better and better.”
