BY RAYMOND NWADUBA
Two years ago in 2022 when Nigeria Football authorities approached Ademola Lookman to switch allegiance from England where he was born to his fatherland Nigeria, little did he know that it was the catalyst that he needed to rediscover his mojo.
Unlike the other duo, who are also of Nigerian descent, Dominic Solanke and Fikayo Tomori whom were his teammates when the trio won the FIFA U20 world cup with England, Lookman took a hard but patriotic decision to feature for the Super Eagles as against the irresistible and tempting chance of featuring for the Three Lions.
Today, that singular decision which some may have adjudged as poor has proven to be the best and the right choice when you compare his achievements for both club and country with that of the other two players that decided otherwise or chose to go the other direction.
Prior to when Lookman made up his mind to dorn the Green White Green jersey of Nigeria, he was at a crossroad in his career and not having the best of time career wise, as he was experiencing some topsy turvy moments. However, all of those soon took another turn the moment he started firing with Nigeria and even his club football career resurrected with his decision to leave England to join Atlanta in Italy.
The astronomical rise of Lookman in world football and his sudden popularity in just two years is a clear testament of hard work, dedication, determination and focus.
The 27 year old was named Atlanta’s best player of the season for 2023/2024 which was well deserved having notched two digits goals and assists for the team last season. He also finished 14th at the Ballon dor awards and equally made the Europa team of the season. He helped Nigeria reach the last AFCON final in Cote d’Ivoire scoring 3 goals with 3 assists. He also bagged a hat trick in the final of the Europa cup where they punctured Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run to lift the crown.
To now cap the season with winning the best African Player of the Year Award is a perfect icing on the cake after an amazing and impressive season by the talented Lookman.
How I wished the upcoming generation of footballers will draw a very big lesson from the Lookman story by following in his footsteps and not make the same mistake the likes John Fashanu, Chris Armstrong, Gabriel Agbolahon, Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori amongst others made, who chose England ahead of Nigeria and were later frozen out of the team or used and dumped.
This resonates and gives more credence to the saying: north, south, east or west, home is the best.
