Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman says his triumph as the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year came after a major setback four years ago when he “failed in front of the world.”
Lookman made the revelation while delivering his acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. The 27-year-old edged out Achraf Hakimi, Simon Adingra, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy to claim the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner.
The Atalanta star recounted his missed penalty for Fulham during an English Premier League (EPL) match against West Ham United in November 2020. On that occasion, Lookman attempted a Panenka-style penalty that was easily saved by Lukasz Fabianski, costing Fulham a chance to secure a crucial point in a 1-0 defeat.
The failed attempt led to heavy mockery on social media, while Scott Parker, Fulham’s manager at the time, publicly criticized the winger.
Reflecting on the incident, Lookman said overcoming that moment of public failure was a turning point in his career. His persistence and growth have since earned him recognition as Africa’s best male footballer in 2024, highlighting his journey from disappointment to triumph.
Lookman’s success this year includes his historic hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta and consistent performances throughout the season, cementing his place among Africa’s elite footballers.
