At an awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, Ademola Lookman won the CAF African Footballer of the Year. This came after Lookman had an incredible season with Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.

Barbara Banda of Zambia received the women’s award after leading the Orlando Pride to victory in the NWSL Championship match and scoring the game-winning goal against the Washington Spirit.

Lookman, 27, earned the Serie A team only their second major prize in their 117-year history and their first European trophy with a hat-trick in the Europa League final.

Nigeria advanced to the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final, but were defeated by the Ivory Coast due to Sebastian Haller’s late goal.

The former RB Leipzig, Leicester, and Fulham forward scored three goals. Lookman had a productive 2023-24 season with Atalanta, scoring 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games across all competitions.

This season, he has 11 goals in 19 club games as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team leads Serie A by two points over Napoli.

Lookman said, “This award is a blessing, to be recognized as best player in Africa is something incredible,” as he accepted the award. He was at the bottom of his career four years ago, but now he’s the finest player in Africa. “Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.” He added.

Lookman is the latest Nigerian to earn the coveted award, which CAF first formally presented in 1992. Osimhen was the previous winner.

Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy, Brighton’s Ivorian winger Simon Adingra, South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi were the other nominees for the trophy.

–Deeprows Sports