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“He’s a top player” — Gasperini praises Ademola Lookman after fine performance

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“He’s a top player” — Gasperini praises Ademola Lookman after fine performance

By Monsurah Olatunji

Nigeria international Ademola Lookman kicked off his reign as the CAF African Player of the Year in style, scoring a crucial goal for Atalanta in their latest Serie A match against Empoli.

Before the match, Lookman proudly displayed his CAF award, receiving a warm reception from Atalanta supporters who celebrated his recent accolade, signaling that he has even bigger goals ahead.

The 27-year-old then showcased his exceptional skill, helping his team secure their 11th consecutive win in the league on Sunday.

Lookman was substituted in the 69th minute after giving Atalanta the lead just before halftime. Although Empoli managed to equalize, De Ketelaere’s late goal ensured a 3-2 victory for the Bergamo side. Despite being taken off early, Lookman’s influence on the game was undeniable.

In a post-match message on social media, Lookman wrote, “Hungrier than ever. Big win,” along with a triumphant emoji, following Atalanta’s record-extending winning streak.

The reigning African Player of the Year has been in scintillating form this season, with nine goals and four assists in 14 league appearances, bringing his overall tally to 12 goals and five assists across all competitions.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini also praised Lookman’s contribution, calling him “a top player,” further solidifying his status as one of Africa’s most promising talents. With his exceptional performances, Lookman is proving that he is ready to continue delivering standout displays for his club.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
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