Ex-Super Eagles Star Tips Lookman for Podium Ballon d’Or Finish and Charges Osimhen to Succeed in Turkey

In a year filled with excitement and uncertainty, one thing is clear: Ademola Lookman is on the cusp of greatness.

The 26-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 a little beginning in Wandsworth town, a district in South London the Nigerian rose to prominence because of his unending persistence.

After scoring a hattrick for Atalanta in May at the Aviva stadium, the 26-year-old winger celebrated with his family which depicts the days of toiling to see the youngster getting a podium finish. This was like Lookman’s winning the U20 world cup with England during his teenage years and finishing second at the AFCON earlier this year.

Having experienced different goodwill in his career, another icing to the cake is making the 30-man Ballon d'Or nomination in August.

Lookman joins the long list of players like 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 an ongoing discussion amongst Nigerians and African footballer fans as a prospect for the African footballer of the year. If this happens, it means Nigeria will be experiencing the 1998-1999 moments where Nwankwo Kanu, a Nigerian won the award consecutively.

Ademola Lookman’s rise isn't a surprise

With Lookman’s performance igniting discussion, SportsBoom spoke with Emmanuel Amunike, a 1996 African footballer of the year award winner about the progress of Nigerian players abroad.

According to Emmanuel Amunike, a former African Player of the Year and current coach, Lookman's rise to prominence 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 at the just concluded international break shows the winger has “conformed” himself with the African style of play. 

Lookman just like Osimhen

Lookman's success is not only a testament to his individual talent but also a reflection of the growth of Nigerian football.

The support of Nigerian players abroad is crucial, Amunike emphasised.

"We need to continue to support our players, both in Europe and in our local leagues. We all need one another to form the ecological system that governs our football, for our football to strive."

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 a tantalising prospect.

For Amunike, it would be a moment of great joy. "When I won it, I think Ikpeba won it again, and then Kanu. If a Nigerian win it next, it is definitely a joyous one. It's a thing of 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 strive.”

Osimhen’s Turkey move

Earlier in September, Victor Osimhen joined the long list of Nigerian players who have ply their trades in Turkey. Talking of Jay Jay Okocha who remains an icon in Fenerbahce where he played for two seasons.

The move raised an eyebrow seeing that the Turkish Liga isn't in 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 during his cadet level disagrees.