Ademola Lookman Shines Ahead of African Footballer of the Year Awards and Champions League Clash

Ademola Lookman has once again demonstrated his prowess on the football field, reinforcing his candidacy for the African Footballer of the Year award. Just a week before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Marrakech, Lookman scored a late winner for Atalanta against AC Milan in Serie A. This decisive goal, which came three minutes from fulltime, was the culmination of a vibrant performance by Lookman, who was named man of the match after the game.

Lookman’s impact was evident throughout the match, with five attempts on goal and a crucial role in Atalanta’s victory. His goal was set up by a corner headed down by Sead Kolasinac, which Lookman quickly capitalized on. This performance comes on the eve of Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, a match where Lookman’s form could be pivotal.

Lookman’s nomination for the African Footballer of the Year is well-deserved, given his consistent performances and his inclusion in the Ballon d'Or shortlist. “It’s an honour to be nominated for this prestigious award,” Lookman said, reflecting on his nomination. “Of course, anyone who’s nominated would like to win it. It’s a dream.”

In addition to Lookman’s standout performance, other African players in the Premier League have also made significant contributions. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa of Brentford have been in excellent form, with both players scoring in Brentford’s 4-2 victory over Newcastle United. Mbeumo’s goal showcased his tenacity and fine finishing, highlighting why he and Wissa could be considered among Africa’s best players in the Premier League beyond Mohamed Salah.

Other notable performances include those by Ghana’s Tariq Lamptey and Iñaki Williams. Lamptey, despite a tricky start to the season due to fitness issues, scored a memorable goal against Leicester City, his first Premier League goal in four years. Williams also had a strong outing, contributing to his team’s success and indicating brighter days ahead for Ghanaian footballers in Europe’s top leagues.