As Nigeria gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta forward, has expressed his determination to showcase his best performance in his first major tournament appearance for Nigeria.
The tournament is set to commence thSaturday, with the opening game featuring hosts Côte d’Ivoire against Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles will launch their AFCON campaign on Sunday, January 14, facing Equatorial Guinea. Lookman, eager to make an impact, emphasized his commitment to delivering top-notch performances for Nigeria and the fans.
In an interview on NFF TV, Lookman shared insights into the team’s preparations, stating, “Just like the rest of my teammates, we are all prepared. It’s been a few good days training here in Abu Dhabi, preparing for the AFCON and obviously getting the mindset to do big things in Ivory Coast.”
The 24-year-old forward expressed his aspirations, saying, “Just like everyone, I want to give my best for the team, to bring my A game to this tournament, for Nigeria and for the fans, and we will see where that takes us.”
Lookman highlighted the unity within the squad, emphasizing their belief in themselves as they embark on the AFCON journey. He stated, “As a squad and as a team, we are together, and we believe in ourselves. That’s the mindset.”
In a recent test game against a local club side in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the Super Eagles dominated with a resounding 12-0 victory. Lookman played a significant role, contributing four goals to the impressive win. Other scorers included Victor Osimhen, Umar Sadiq, and Moses Simon, each securing a brace, while the opposition conceded two own goals.
The team is set to face Guinea in a friendly on Monday, further fine-tuning their strategies before returning to Nigeria on Tuesday. As excitement builds for the upcoming AFCON, fans eagerly anticipate Lookman’s dynamic performances and the collective success of the Super Eagles in the tournament