Why I'll pick myself ahead Lookman for CAF POTY award- Boniface

Why I’ll pick myself ahead of Lookman for CAF Player of the Year award – Boniface

By : James Agberebi

Date: 27 September 2024 6:04pm WAT

Bayer Leverkusen's Nigerian forward #22 Victor Boniface celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penaty spot during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Werder Bremen in Leverkusen, western Germany, on April 14, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO

Victor Boniface has said he will pick himself ahead of Ademola Lookman for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award.

Boniface stated this in a video interview on Sporty TV and posted on X.

“It’s probably between me and Lookman,” he replied when quizzed about who he thinks are the favourites for the award. “And I will go for myself because I rate myself that high.

“If it is about what we did last season I will pick myself.”

Boniface was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen winning the double in the 2023-24 season.

The 23-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, as Bayer Leverkusen won a first-ever Bundesliga title unbeaten and also won the DFB-Pokal.

Lookman helped Atalanta to two finals last season, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.

After losing 1-0 to Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, Atalanta bounced back and won the Europa League final 3-0 with Lookman scoring all the three goals.

Earlier in the year m, he helped the Super Eagles reach the AFCON 2023 final, scoring three goals. Unfortunately, the Eagles lost 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.

His impressive performance saw him make the AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament.

He is the only African player that made the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Balon d’Or award.

Meanwhile, Lookman scored a brace as the Eagles thrash Benin Republic 3-0 on matchday 1 of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.