Finidi picks Lookman, Osimhen, others for Eagles’ World Cup qualifier

Ademola Lookman. Photo: AFP

Super Eagles and Atalanta FC of Italy striker, Ademola Lookman, who made history on Wednesday night by scoring a hattrick for his club to win a European trophy believes his decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria have been the force behind his transition to a great player.

Lookman is the first African player to score a treble in a final of one of the major European competitions and only the second player to do so in the final of a major European competition for an Italian side, after Pierino Prati for Milan, against Ajax, in the 1969 European Cup.

“The unwavering support and love I get from our people back home in Nigeria are unbelievable,” he said. “It gives me the motivation to inspire myself in different areas, not just in my game but also as a person.”

Lookman added that the support has taken him to a new level. “Competing at AFCON this January, unfortunately, we lost in the final, but the whole tournament I think catapulted us to be the Eagles back again. That’s incredible.”

Lookman netted thrice to inspire Atalanta to their first major European trophy, becoming the first Italian team to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League since Parma in 1999.

The Nigerian’s goals also ensured Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end.

Lookman switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2022 and made his Super Eagles debut in March of the same year in the goalless draw with Ghana in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

He has featured 20 more times, scoring six goals, which included the three at the Africa Cup of Nations this year in Cote d’Ivoire against Cameroun and once in the quarterfinal against Angola. He has also provided four assists.

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