CAF officially annouce Ademola Lookman as African Footballer of the Year winner for the very first time after a stellar year with Atalanta in Serie A.
Ademola Lookman beat the likes of the Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to scoop the accolade in Marrakesh.
He also became the seventh Nigerian to win the award after Nwankwo Kanu (two), Victor Ikpeba, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike and Victor Osimhen.
Lookman was the only African player to be nominated for this year's Ballon d'Or and finished in 14th place in the rankings 🇳🇬
All Nominees of CAF POTY
Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, Ademola Lookman, Ronwen Williams
Player Stats
Lookman enjoyed an incredible second season under Gian Piero Gasperini, registering 27 goal involvements (17 goals, 10 assists) in 45 appearances in all competitions.
Three of those goals came in the Europa League final, with his first career hat-trick earning Atalanta a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen as they lifted their first European title.
He also became only the second player to score a treble in the final of a major European competition for an Italian side, after Pierino Prati for Milan against Ajax in 1969.
And Lookman has continued his fine form into this campaign as Atalanta sit at the summit of the Serie A standings.
This season, only Atalanta team-mate Mateo Retegui (15) and Marcus Thuram (14) have been involved in more goals in Serie A than Lookman (12).
His late winner against Milan earlier this month saw Atalanta equal their record number of consecutive wins in Serie A, before surpassing that total against Cagliari last time out.
On the international scene, Lookman was named in the team of the tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals as the Super Eagles finished as runners-up.
He was also the only African on this year's men's Ballon d'Or shortlist, finishing 14th.
Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda made history as the first Zambian to win the women's prize, finishing ahead of Moroccan Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie.
HamodOlawoyin
181
congratulations big moola
Kibbdlmpuz
135
congratulations 🎉👍 lookman well deserved 💯💯
Iffy106
107
One of the best and finest player in the world right now. Congratulations Nigeria blood
Robcilopyz
42
When it comes to Africa they always give the award to who deserved it. But Europe always compromises there awards. And they always talk bad about African leaders. This clearly show that Europe more corrupted than Africa!!! By the way Congratulations to the Nigeria born
Sheda2jo
11
Congrats to our own Nigerian/Yoruba brother. Wish you more success 🇳🇬