Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year 2024 on Monday at the Confederation of African Football Awards in Marrakech.
Zambia's Barbra Banda has been named the African Women's Player of the Year after a successful year with Orlando Pride where she scored the title-winning goal against Kansas City to ensure her team's first championship NWSL ever get.
Former Everton and Fulham striker Lookman won the men's award ahead of Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Brighton and Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
His award follows an impressive campaign which saw the 27-year-old score a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa League final against unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in May.
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Ademola Lookman talks about putting tough spells in the Premier League behind him and his plans to continue his success at Atalanta
His three goals in the African Cup of Nations also helped Nigeria reach the finals in Ivory Coast where they were beaten by the tournament hosts.
Lookman will become the seventh Nigerian to win the award and succeed Victor Osimhen, who won last year.
The Nigeria International endured a difficult time in his final days in the Premier League. His stoppage time Panenka penalty attempt in 2020 against West Ham which was easily caught by Lukasz Fabianski remains infamous as Fulham lost 1-0 and was relegated that season.
Commenting on the low point in his winning speech, Lookman said:
“Just four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years and I am the best player in Africa.
“To the young children and people watching this, don't let your failures weigh you down and loosen your wings. Turn your pain into your power and keep flying.”
AFCON winners Ivory Coast were named the Men's National Team of the Year while Nigeria claimed the Women's award.
