Moroccan superstar Achraf Hakimi has expressed his hope of winning the 2024 CAFMen’s Player of the Year award over Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman.
Hakimi is one of the final nominees for this year’s award. The PSG defender will contend against Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).
He however, added that if he doesn’t win the award, he would be happy with him being a nominee this year.
“It’s a source of pride and satisfaction, especially knowing that the work I’ve been doing for a long time will be rewarded with this nomination,” he told Brut via maliactu.net.
“It’s true that it’s an important trophy on an individual level, but I’m happy to be here,
“I hope I can win it, but if not, I’m happy to be here, and it makes me want to keep working”
Hakimi was instrumental to PSG’s brilliant run in the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League where the French champions reach the semi-finals.
He also played a vital role in Morocco’s run at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris where the Atlas Lions finished with a Bronze medal.
Ademola Lookman on the other hand had a stellar performance for Atalanta en route to their Europa League success.
The 27-year-old forward bagged an historic hattrick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
Lookman also scored 3 goals and an assist as the Super Eagles finished second at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.
The wide forward finished in 14th place at this year’s Ballon D’or Award.
Lookman is currently having a brilliant start to the current season with 9 goals in 14 matches so far.
The CAF Awards is scheduled for December 16 in Morocco.
