Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has backed Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to win the coveted CAF Footballer of the Year next month, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman is one of ten contenders nominated for the prestigious honour, as CAF prepares to name a successor to current holder Victor Osimhen.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations MVP William Troost-Ekong, Guinea’s prolific marksman Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams are all in the running for the top prize.
However, Lookman is the leading candidate to win the award following a remarkable year when he played crucial roles as Nigeria won silver at the AFCON and Atalanta lifted the Europa League.
And Rohr believes that out of all of Nigeria’s finest talents, Lookman is the best on the continent.
“We see that in your (Nigeria) list you have Victor Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon, and all the big strikers but I love these players because most of them were with me a few years ago,” Rohr told the NationSport.
“For me, Lookman is the best one in Africa to win the golden award for the footballer of the year, he is a fantastic player.”
“But I hope he will not score against us (on Thursday) like he did in the last game in Uyo.”
Lookman scored two excellent goals as Nigeria defeated Benin’s Cheetahs 3-0 on matchday one of the AFCON qualifying series in September.
Nigeria will book their spot at Morocco 2025 should the Super Eagles avoid defeat in the return leg against Benin on Thursday.
Rohr is wary of the challenge posed by the Super Eagles but the former Bayern Munich defender draws inspiration from the Cheetahs’ 2-1 win over the three-time African champions during the World Cup qualifiers in June.
“The match against Nigeria is very important and we still remember the lost match in Uyo, which was very bad for us and the spirit of the team,” Rohr added.
“We have to forget the loss in Uyo and approach this match with togetherness because we need good result.
“Rwanda is our concurrent, Nigeria has already qualified practically and so I hope that the match will be good and spectacular (to watch) like the last one here in Abidjan against Nigeria in June.”
Twenty-two Super Eagles stars have reported to the Nigerian camp in Abidjan with Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq expected to join his integration all teammates on Wednesday.
Caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen will be keen to maintain his unbeaten record in his fourth stint in charge of the national team.