Ademola Lookman bags African player of the year award

Ademola Lookman wins CAF African Player of the Year, shining in Atalanta's Europa League triumph and Nigeria's AFCON silver.

Ademola Lookman and Barbara Banda display their awards after winning best African player of the year in the male and female category. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Super Eagles and Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman beat Ronwen Williams of South Africa, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, and PSG at a lavish event in Morocco on Monday.

Ademola Lookman was the star of the tournament as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the Europa League, with the Nigerian scoring all three goals. Lookman was also instrumental to Nigeria's silver medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, scoring three goals on the way.

Wearing attire from his native land in Nigeria, Lookman, in his full regalia, was full of joy as he beat fellow African stars to the award; he recounted tales of years past and encouraged others to keep hope alive even in the midst of obvious odds.

"This award is a blessing; to be recognized as the best player in Africa is incredible," Lookman said as he picked up the trophy.

"Four years ago, my career took a turn for the worse, but now I stand here as the best player in Africa." Don't let your failures stop your dreams."

Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and Brighton and Hove Albion's Simon Adingra were also at the award ceremony as nominees, but the night belonged to the Nigerian and a few other winners across different categories of awards.

Ivory Coast Ema Fae won coach of the year for leading the Elephants to the African title in February while Presidents of Egypt and Cameroon went home with CAF's presidential special awards for their contributions to football in Africa.

Barbara Banda from Zambia won the best female player award, defeating Temwa Chawinga and Chiamaka Nnadozie from Nigeria. The Zambian's win brought an end to Asisat Oshoala's reign, as the Nigerian has won five of the last six.