Super Eagles and Atalanta winger, Ademola
Lookman has admitted he feels the pressure of wearing the green and white
jersey of Nigeria.
Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria from England and was cleared in 2022 by FIFA to play for Nigeria at senior level having represented England at U-19, U-20, and U-21 level.
The 26-year-old is one of Nigeria’s standout performers at
the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, where he has scored three goals plus one
assist.
Lookman scored Nigeria’s winner against Angola to make it
three goals in his last two matches, having netted both Eagles goals in the
last-16 victory over Cameroon.
His scoring feat saw him become the fourth Nigerian ever to score three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON tournament. The other players are Odion Ighalo (2019), Austin Okocha (2004), and Rashidi Yekini (1994).
“I feel the pressure wearing this shirt,” the 26-year-old told BBC.
“Every single time I put on the jersey, that’s just
what comes with being a Nigerian and playing for the country, so I’m proud to
do that, to take that responsibility.”
