Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been named the CAF Men’s Player of the Year, beating out South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra.

The award was voted on by coaches and captains of all CAF member associations. Lookman’s impressive performances at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where Nigeria reached the final, were instrumental in his selection.

He also scored a hat-trick when his club Atalanta beat German side Bayer Leverkusen to win the UEFA Europe League.

“Four years ago, I fell in front of the world and fast forward, four years later, I’m the best player in Africa,” Lookman said upon receiving the award. “I want to say to the young children and people watching this, don’t let your failures weigh you down, but turn your pain into power and continue to fly. God bless.”

While Lookman took home the top prize, Ronwen Williams had a successful night, winning both the CAF Club Player of the Year and CAF Goalkeeper of the Year awards.

Full List of CAF Awards Winners:

• CAF Women’s Player of the Year: Barbara Banda
• CAF Goal of the Year: Mabululu
• CAF Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Fae
• CAF Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi
• CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams
• CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie
• CAF Inter Club Women’s Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy
• CAF Inter Club Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams
• CAF Club of the Year (Women): T.P Mazambe
• CAF Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly
• CAF National Team of the Year (Men): Ivory Coast
• CAF National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria
• CAF Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara
• CAF Young Player of the Year (Women): Doha El Madani

This year’s CAF Awards ceremony was held in Morocco, recognizing the outstanding achievements of African football players and teams.