Serie A: Lookman makes strong claim for CAF Player of the year award with a brace to down Serie A leaders Napoli

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, took another step closer to the CAF Player of the Year award by scoring a brace in his side’s win over Napoli this afternoon, Soccernet.ng reports.

Napoli appear rejuvenated under former Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte. The Italian, prior to Napoli’s game against Atalanta, has won eight games and drawn one from their opening ten league games, making Victor Osimhen’s side table toppers.

With the odds clearly in Napoli’s favour, Ademola Lookman stepped up to take charge of the game, showing the world why he deserved a place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.

The 27-year-old broke the deadlock inside ten minutes. An unresolved set-piece saw Charles De Ketelaere cross the ball into Napoli’s box, and the ball was flicked on by Martin De Roon into Ademola Lookman’s path. The former Everton man blasted the ball into the bottom corner of Meret’s goal to settle any early nerves.

Lookman doubled La Dea’s lead on the half-hour mark. Brilliant hold up play from Charles De Ketelaere once again freed Lookman on the left hand side. The Belgian forward fed the Nigerian, and he unleashed his shot from about thirty yards out into Meret’s goal. The Napoli goalkeeper got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out.

Lookman went off with twelve minutes left on the clock and Mario Retegui added the third for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, scoring from a Raoul Bellanova cross.

Atalanta are now within three points of Napoli at the top of the Serie A summit, and Lookman’s strong performance puts him in pole position to win the CAF Player of the year award. The ex-RB Leipzig man has scored six goals and provided four assists in the league this term.