A former Chairman of the Gombe State Sports Commission, Malam Farouk Yarma, has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, who is the only African player on the list of the recently released nominations for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
The Super Eagles and Atlanta forward made the award nomination list after his outstanding performances at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’ Ivoire and the Europa League final where he scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 whitewash of Bayer Leverkusen.
The performance of Lookman on the big stage instantly drew the attention of big European clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool and PSG who reportedly showed interest in signing him.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Yarma hailed Lookman’s achievement as he said with his nomination for the Ballon d’Or award, the dazzling attacking winger is primed to be the next Africa’s best player.
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Lookman’s national teammate, Victor Osimhen, is the reigning African Footballer of the Year.
“The nomination of Lookman is not coming to me as a surprise because of his outstanding performance for Atlanta, both in the league and the Europa Cup.
“His hat-trick which he scored in a spectacular fashion is still fresh in the memory of everyone. It would have been a serious mistake, if the organisers of the award didn’t include his name.
“I am confident that he will give the other nominees a hot chase for the coveted trophy. I wish him good luck,” said Yarma who is the proprietor of FC Yarmalight.
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