The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Atalanta of Italy forward said this during his speech after receiving the award in a glittering ceremony organised by CAF in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday.
“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible and I am extremely proud of,” Lookman said.
Recalling his struggles as a footballer about four years ago, the 27-year-old advised young people never to allow their past failures define their future.
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Lookman beat competitions from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy to win the coveted prize.
He was instrumental as Atalanta won its first-ever European trophy last season, with the Nigerian scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Everton player was also integral in the Super Eagles run to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations ,AFCON, in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.