Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman believes his Super Eagles teammate Victor Boniface deserved a nomination for the 2024 CAF Footballer of the Year award.

Boniface had a remarkable campaign with Bayer Leverkusen last season, helping Xabi Alonso's side win their first-ever Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal.

The 23-year-old registered 21 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for the club in his debut season.

Despite Boniface's impressive numbers, the Super Eagles striker was surprisingly left out of the initial 10-man nominee list for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Lookman, who has been tipped as a favourite to win the prestigious award, believes his countryman should have been shortlisted.

“Obviously Boniface, my teammate, had an amazing season last year. I think with his personal achievements, personal goals, and also winning two titles last year with Leverkusen.

“They were unbeaten in their league, special, maybe he could have been nominated for sure but you know I am not the one that makes the rules, you know.”