Ademola Lookman: Ex-Everton and Fulham striker crowned African Player of the Year

Zambia's Barbra Banda was crowned African Women's Player of the Year following a stellar performance with Orlando Pride. She made headlines by scoring the winning goal in the NWSL Championship against Kansas City, leading her team to their first-ever title.

Former Everton and Fulham forward, Lookman clinched the men's prize 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 that saw the 27-year-old score a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa League final against an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in May.

His three goals during the African Cup of Nations also helped Nigeria reach the finals in the Ivory Coast where they were beaten by the competition's hosts.

Lookman becomes the seventh Nigerian to take the award and succeeds last year's winner Victor Osimhen.

The Nigeria International endured a difficult period during his latter days in the Premier League. His attempt at a stoppage-time Panenka penalty in 2020 against West Ham that was easily caught by Lukasz Fabianski remains infamous as Fulham lost 1-0 and were later relegated that season.

Referencing the low point during his winning speech, Lookman said:

"Just over four years ago, I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years and I'm the best player in Africa.

"To the young children and people watching this, don't let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings. Turn your pain into your power and continue to fly."

AFCON Winners Ivory Coast were named Men's National Team of the Year while Nigeria claimed the Women's award.