Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman has credited his decision to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2022 as a key factor in his career success.
Born in London and a former England Under-17 World Cup winner, Lookman acknowledged that joining the Super Eagles has significantly turned his career around.
“Since I started wearing the Super Eagles jersey, it’s been a fruitful journey,” Lookman said in an interview with SportyTV. “We’ve achieved a lot as a team, and the camaraderie in the squad is something special. Everything has been on the rise for me since joining the Super Eagles.”
Lookman made his debut for Nigeria two years ago in the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana. In less than two years, the Atalanta forward has gone from being considered a Premier League misfit to being named Africa’s Player of the Year at the CAF Awards on December 16. He became the first Nigerian born outside the country to receive the prestigious award.
His achievements include three goals and two assists that were instrumental in Nigeria reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in February. At the club level, Lookman scored a remarkable European hat-trick, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa Cup final, despite the Germans being strong favorites.
This season, Lookman has continued his impressive form, with 12 goals and five assists in 19 appearances for Atalanta, as well as two goals in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Lookman’s rise echoes the contributions of other diaspora-born players like Osaze Odemwingie, Victor Moses, and more recently, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, and William Troost-Ekong, who have become key players for the Super Eagles.
“Winning the CAF Award is an incredible moment for me,” Lookman said. “It’s a great achievement to join the list of legendary players. It’s not just about me – there’s a lot of talent in Nigerian football, both in the men’s and women’s games. Our success can motivate young kids to aspire to be like us, and if we can set a good example, they will have strong footsteps to follow.”
