Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has spoken out following his defeat by Ademola Lookman for the African Player of the Year award.
Lookman was named the 2024 African Best Player of the Year held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, beating Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, and Ronwen Williams.
The Super Eagles star received recognition for his exceptional contributions to the Nigerian national team and Atalanta.
The winger guided Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON tournament final and assisted the Italian team in winning their first European trophy.
Several Moroccan media outlets, notably al3omk, have reported that Hakimi expressed his dissatisfaction with the result during PSG’s victory over Monaco on Wednesday night.
Hakimi was captured on camera discussing his amazement at the outcome with Ilyas Ben Seghir.
He expressed his frustration to Elias Ben Seghir in French, saying, “They (CAF) made me believe that I won it.”
Reactions to Lookman’s selection as the African Best of the Year were not quite unanimous, especially among Moroccan supporters who had been expecting Hakimi to win after his Ligue 1 title triumph with PSG.
The Atalanta star became the sixth Nigerian player to win the African Player of the Year award, making Nigeria the nation with the second most winners of the award.
Lookman has maintained his excellent play this season, with five assists and eleven goals to help Atalanta move up to the top of the Serie A standings.
