The newly crowned African Player of The Year, Ademola Lookman, says to be recognised as the best player on the continent is something incredible.

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.

“Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world, fast forward to four years I am the best player in Africa,” Lookman recalled.

“I want to say to the young children and young people watching this ‘don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings, turn your pain into your power and continue to fight and continue to fly’, God bless!”

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.