Lookman celebrates CAF award with goal in Atalanta win

Ademola Lookman, recently crowned CAF men’s best player of the year winner, scored the second goal in Atalanta’s 3-2 victory over Empoli in their Serie A encounter. 

Before the start of the match, Lookman displayed his glittering orb that was awarded to him on Monday when he was crowned the 2024 CAF player of the year. The home fans at the Gewiss stadium washed him with ovations in response.

Less than 45 minutes later, the fans were clapping for Lookman again as he wheels away in celebration after putting Atalanta ahead from a goal down.

The 27-year-old controlled Nicolo Zaniolo’s knockdown inside Empoli’s goal area and slotted the ball home from four yards out.

The goal was Lookman’s ninth goal of the season in the Italian Serie A, becoming the joint third-highest goalscorer in the league scoring charts this season.

In Turkey, Victor Osimhen hit a brace to lead Galatasaray to a 5-1 victory against Kayserispor away from home.

The victory extended Galatasaray’s lead at the top of the Turkish Super League to eight points, ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

Osimhen scored a penalty in the fourth minute to give Galatasaray the lead before chipping a finish over the onrushing goalkeeper into the far post from a tight angle in the 71st minute to complete his brace.

The 25-year-old has now contributed nine league goals in nine starts for the club and has 12 goals in all competitions since he joined the Istanbul giants on a season-long loan move from Napoli.

In Belgium, Toluwalase Arokodare scored one goal and assisted another, leading table-topping Genk to a 2-0 win over rivals Anderlecht in their Pro League match.

Arokodare was quicker than his marker to emphatically meet a low cross with a well-placed finish into the back of the net in 28 minutes to send fans in the Cegeka Arena into delirium before providing the assist for the goal that sealed the win in the 72nd minute.