By Nurudeen Obalola
Ademola Lookman was on target on Sunday to help Atalanta beat Empoli 3-2 and retain top spot in Serie A, days after the Super Eagles star was crowned the African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards.
The Nigeria international’s CAF Awards predecessor and national teammate, Victor Osimhen, also netted for Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray on Sunday, bagging a brace as they beat Kayserispor 5-1.
Lookman struck on the stroke of half-time as Atalanta turned the game around after going down 1-0 to the visitors early in the contest.
Zaniolo nodded down Charles De Ketelaere’s cross from the left for Lookman to take a touch and fire in from a tricky angle to make it 2-1.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward has now produced nine goals and four assists in 14 Serie A appearances this season for title-chasing Atalanta.
Empoli pulled level in the second half, but Atalanta found the winning goal four minutes from time through the impressive De Ketelaere as they maintain a two-point gap over Napoli at the top of the Serie A standings.
In Turkey, Osimhen took his Super Lig tally to an outstanding nine goals and three assists in 11 matches with two more strikes in the big away win.
He has registered 12 goals and five assists in 15 appearances in all competitions, with Galatasaray on top of the Super Lig, eight points clear of second-placed Fernabahce.
