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Ademola Lookman has been named African Women’s Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football at its awards ceremony on Monday.
The Atalanta striker scored a hat-trick as the team won the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin in May and earlier this year helped Nigeria reach the final of the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
He scored three goals in the AFCON tournament.
Lookman, who has played in the Premier League for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City, scored 17 goals for Atalanta last season and already has 11 this season. He moved to the Serie A club in 2022.
The Prince of Nigeria is officially crowned 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. 🇳🇬👑 #PremiosCAFA2024
— AFCON 2025 (@Afcon2025EN) December 16, 2024
“This award is a blessing, being recognized as the best player in Africa is something incredible,” he said.
“Four years ago my career felt down, but now I am here as the best player in Africa. “Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”
Lookman was named ahead of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The award is voted on by a panel that includes national team coaches and captains, but details on the vote count were not immediately provided.
Lookman is the seventh Nigerian to receive the award and succeeds last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen.
Nwankwo Kanu (twice), Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba and Rashidi Yekini are the other previous Nigerian winners.
