In a year filled with excitement and uncertainty, one thing is clear: Ademola Lookman is on the cusp of greatness.
The 25-year-old Nigerian winger has been making waves in the football world, earning a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award and impressing with his outstanding performances on the pitch. From modest beginnings in Wandsworth, a district in South London, the Nigerian rose to prominence through relentless persistence.
After scoring a hat-trick for Atalanta in May at the Aviva Stadium, the 26-year-old winger celebrated with his family, a testament to the hard work and dedication that led to this milestone. This achievement is reminiscent of Lookman’s earlier successes, including winning the U20 World Cup with England during his teenage years and finishing second at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year.
Adding another feather to his cap, Lookman received a nomination for the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist in August.
Lookman joins a distinguished list of players, including Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Finidi George, Kanu Nwankwo, and Victor Osimhen, who have also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
His nomination has sparked widespread discussion among Nigerians and African football fans about the possibility of him winning the African Footballer of the Year award. If this occurs, it would echo the 1998-1999 era when Nwankwo Kanu won the award consecutively.
Ademola Lookman’s Rise Isn’t a Surprise
With Lookman’s performance igniting discussions, SportsBoom spoke with Emmanuel Amunike, the 1996 African Footballer of the Year, about the progress of Nigerian players abroad.
Amunike, a former African Player of the Year and current coach, expressed that Lookman’s rise is no surprise. “He’s a prospect; he’s in line if he continues the way he is doing,” Amunike said in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com.
The current Heartland of Owerri coach added that Lookman’s performance during the recent international break shows the winger has “adapted” to the African style of play.
“I watched the last game against Rwanda, and his performance was outstanding. It shows that he has been able to integrate himself with African football.”
Lookman Like Osimhen
Lookman’s success reflects not only his individual talent but also the growth of Nigerian football.
Amunike emphasized the importance of supporting Nigerian players abroad. “We need to continue to support our players, both in Europe and in our local leagues. We all need one another to form the ecosystem that governs our football for it to thrive.”
As Lookman continues to shine on the international stage, the possibility of another Nigerian winning the African Player of the Year award after Victor Osimhen is an exciting prospect.
For Amunike, it would be a moment of great joy. “When I won it, Ikpeba won it again, and then Kanu. If a Nigerian wins it next, it will definitely be a joyous occasion. It’s a great motivation that shows the future is bright for our young players.”
With Lookman leading the charge, the future of Nigerian football looks brighter than ever. As Amunike aptly put it, “We all need one another…for our football to thrive.”
Osimhen’s Turkey Move
Earlier in September, Victor Osimhen joined the growing list of Nigerian players who have played in Turkey, following in the footsteps of Jay-Jay Okocha, who remains an icon at Fenerbahçe where he played for two seasons.
The move raised eyebrows, given that the Turkish Süper Lig is not among the top five leagues in Europe.
With Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray, some have questioned whether the Turkish club is the right fit for the African Footballer of the Year. However, Amunike, who coached Osimhen at the cadet level, disagrees.
“Galatasaray is a big club, and it’s a good opportunity for Osimhen to play under a great coach who understands the importance of hard work.”
