'Missed a penalty attempting a Panenka' - Lookman's agent Hakimi shares incredible story of African POTY

Ademola Lookman's Moroccan agent, Nabile Hakimi, has shared the incredible story of the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year, revealing that the career of the Atalanta forward was at its lowest ebb four years ago.

The Nigeria international saw off competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) to clinch the accolade.

Hakimi remembered how Lookman was ridiculed, especially on social media, for missing a Panenka penalty in the final moments of Fulham's Premier League match against West Ham in November 2020. 

Although many Moroccans were disappointed to see Atlas captain Achraf Hakimi miss out on the award, it was a source of pride for them that another Moroccan played a key role in Lookman's success

Nabile Hakimi is an executive director at ROOF, an agency that also manages the affairs of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Victor Moses, Tammy Abraham and Philip Billing.

In an interview with La Nouvelle Tribune, Nabile Hakimi who has no family ties to Achraf Hakimi said: "Ademola Lookman has an incredible story; he missed a penalty with  attempting a Panenka in 2020 and was at rock bottom.

"However, through hard work, perseverance, and a steely mentality, he never gave up, and he serves as an example for this young generation."

Born in London, just like his client Ademola Lookman, Nabile Hakimi has spent over twenty years in the agency business.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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