Ademola Lookman: Former Everton and Fulham forward voted African Player of the Year | Football News happymamay

Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year for 2024 on Monday at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakesh.

Zambia’s Barbara Banda was named African Player of the Year after a successful year with the Orlando Pride where she scored the game-winning goal against Kansas City to ensure her team won its first ever NRL Championship.

Former Everton and Fulham striker, Lookman, won the men’s award, ahead of Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, Brighton and Côte d’Ivoire winger Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serho Geraci, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

His award comes after an impressive season that saw the 27-year-old score a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa League final against unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in May.

His three goals during the Africa Cup of Nations also helped Nigeria reach the finals in Ivory Coast where they lost to the hosts of the competition.

Lookman becomes the seventh Nigerian to receive the award, succeeding last year’s winner Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian international has endured a difficult period during his final days in the Premier League. His attempt to take a Panenka penalty in stoppage time in 2020 against West Ham which was easily caught by Lukasz Fabianski remains infamous as Fulham lost 1-0 and were relegated later that season.

Referring to the low point during his victory speech, Lockman said:

“Just over four years ago, I failed the world. Four years later, I became the best player in Africa.

“To the little kids and people watching this, don’t let your failures weigh you down and break your wings. Turn your pain into your strength and keep flying.”

Africa Cup of Nations winners Ivory Coast were named the best men’s national team while Nigeria took home the women’s award.