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How Lookman Became Africa’s Best Two Years After Nationality Switch To Nigeria

Just two years after switching allegiance to Nigeria, the Atalanta winger has emerged as Africa's best, underlining his sheer brilliance and the boldness to represent the Super Eagles. 

By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Updated December 17, 2024
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Lookman
Lookman receives CAF Player of The Year Award in Morocco

 

Last night in the city of Marrakech, Morocco, Ademola Lookman shone like a million stars. In a stunning twist of fate, the Super Eagle who rose from the ashes of uncertainty, was crowned the African Footballer of the Year. 

In 2022, the Atalanta forward was yet to decide his international future with zero caps having played for England at the age-grade level. But two years later, Lookman’s bold decision to switch allegiance to the Super Eagles finally paid off.

Walking upstairs to pick up his award in a gathering of the biggest names in football, the stars had truly aligned for the Wandsworth-born player. It was a moment that marked a turnaround for the 27-year-old, moving from uncertainty to unparalleled success.

As Lookman manned the podium in his green and flowing traditional Nigerian regalia, the Atalanta man could not help but reflect on his journey to reaching the zenith of African football.

Lookman speaks after winning the CAF Player of The Year 2024 Award in Morocco. X/@CAF_Online

 

“Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world, fast forward to four years I am the best player in Africa,” Lookman who was beaming with a smile recalled.

“I want to say to the young children and young people watching this ‘Don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings, turn your pain into your power and continue to fight and continue to fly’, God bless!”

Unconventional Path

Born to Nigerian parents in England, Lookman’s path to becoming Africa’s best was unconventional. Having played a major role as England won the 2017 U-20 World Cup, netting thrice in that tournament, the winger was primed for the top.

Lookman’s early career did not, however, blossom as many touted it. It was a wilderness experience for the London-born footballer who endured mixed fortunes in Charlton, Everton, and R.B Leipzig.

Lookman went on loan to Fulham and Leicester but his spells in both clubs were neither here nor there. Those were brutal realities for the promising youngster.

The Reboot 

 

After several bouts of loan spells, then came 2022. First, he switched allegiance to Nigeria – taking a different path from Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori, Josh Onoma, Ovie Ejara, and Sheyi Ojo among others who featured for England in that U-20 World Cup, and titled towards playing for the Three Lions.

“Delighted to announce that FIFA has approved my Nationality switch,” he wrote on his X following his decision to play for Nigeria.

“Thank you for the warm welcome and I can’t wait to put on the Super Eagles shirt and represent the country”.

The nibble-feet forward made his debut for the Super Eagles in March 2022 in Nigeria’s ill-fated World Cup play-off against Ghana.

An Eagle Soaring In Bergamo

Lookman
Ademola Lookman is the first to score a hat-trick in the Europa League final. Photo: X@Alookman.

 

In the same year, he teamed up with Atalanta in Italy, moving away from England. That move appeared to be the spark Lookman needed to reignite his career and find stability. During his first season, he reached double figures in goal return, scoring 13 times.

In the following campaign, the Nigerian registered 11, helping Atalanta qualify for the Champions League. Lookman was a key figure as he powered the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where Nigeria lost to hosts Cote d’Ivoire. He scored thrice and was named to the Team of the Competition.

Nigeria's forward #18 Ademola Lookman (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Nigeria's forward #9 Victor Osimhen (R) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 27, 2024.
Nigeria’s forward #18 Ademola Lookman (C) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen (R) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 27, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

 

But the highlight of his season and perhaps one of the major high points of his career came in May when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, ending Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run. It was the Bergamo club’s first major trophy since 1963 and their first continental laurel.

Lookman’s heroics in Dublin earned him the accolade as the first African to score thrice in the final of a major UEFA competition. He also became the first to reach that milestone in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975.

The Super Eagle was named the Atalanta Player of the Year for 2023/24 having contributed 18 goals and assists in the Serie A. Lookman also made the Europa League’s Team of the Season.

‘Something Incredible’

Ademola Lookman flanked by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 2024 CAF Awards in Morocco

 

On Monday, he capped off a truly remarkable two-year career turnaround when he was crowned the African Player of the Year for 2024.

“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognised as the best player in Africa is something incredible and I am extremely proud of,” Lookman said.

With the 27-year-old still maintaining his form in Atalanta’s title-chasing campaign, and some of Europe’s biggest teams on his radar, there is more left in stock for the soaring Super Eagles!

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