Nigeria's Ademola Lookman delivered a powerful speech after being crowned African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday, December 16.
The 27-year-old won the prestigious award ahead of Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Côte d'Ivoire's Simon Adingra, Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa's Ronwen Williams.
Lookman succeeded his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen, who won the award last year.
The Atalanta forward has become the sixth Nigerian male footballer to win the prestigious award.
Speaking after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced him as the winner, Lookman recalled an embarrassing moment in his career when he was ridiculed by the football world for attempting a panenka penalty that failed woefully.
Lookman, who was on loan at Fulham from RB Leipzig, was presented with a golden opportunity to draw his team level in stoppage time against West Ham United at the London Stadium, but saw his dink saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
Referring to what was the lowest moment in his career, the newly crowned African Best player 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.”
Ademola Lookman failed a ‘Panenka’ penalty for Fulham with his team down 3-2 in the 98th minute…
— 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙣𝙮 (@utdjohnyy) December 16, 2024
4 years on, and he’s the FIRST Player to score a hattrick in a Europa League Final and he’s about to win the CAF player of the year awards
Incredible.pic.twitter.com/6eJlJXJhL2
