Ademola Lookman Wins African Footballer of the Year Award

• Ademola Lookman, Nigerian forward, named African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football.
• Scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta, securing victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
• Contributed to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, scoring three goals and reaching the final.
• Has netted 17 goals for Atalanta last season and 11 goals in the current campaign.
• Lookman’s career resurgence has earned him recognition after a challenging period.
• He succeeded Victor Osimhen, last year’s winner, becoming the seventh Nigerian to receive the award.
• Zambia’s Barbra Banda was named African Women’s Player of the Year.

In a ceremony held on Monday, Ademola Lookman was honored with the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 27-year-old forward was recognized for his outstanding performances, including a remarkable hat-trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in May. His contribution to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) run, where he scored three goals and helped his team reach the final, further solidified his credentials.

Lookman’s rise to the top comes after a challenging phase in his career. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “Four years ago my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.” His form for Atalanta has been exceptional, with 17 goals last season and 11 already this campaign since his move to the Serie A club in 2022.

This victory marks a significant milestone in Nigerian football, with Lookman becoming the seventh Nigerian to win the award, following in the footsteps of legends like Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Osimhen.

Additionally, Barbra Banda of Zambia was awarded African Women’s Player of the Year, making a remarkable comeback after her exclusion from the 2021 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with notable performances at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the Paris Olympics.