Lookman flying for Super Eagles ahead of AFCON final

Ademola Lookman has stepped up as Nigeria's unexpected talisman at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Before a ball was kicked at the tournament, star striker Victor Osimhen was heralded as the Super Eagles' best chance of a fourth continental triumph.

But Atalanta winger Lookman has instead been the team's main attacking threat en route to a final showdown with host nation Ivory Coast on Sunday.

After Nigeria's semi-final victory over South Africa on penalties, we shine the spotlight on one of the stars of AFCON 2023.

Career rebuild

Lookman has not had an easy ride, with underwhelming stints at Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester threatening to cast a shadow over his obvious talent.

However, moving to Serie A outfit Atalanta in August 2022 has proven to be an inspired decision.

The 26-year-old scored 15 goals and registered eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions in 2022-23 on his way to being named the club's Player of the Season.

He has 10 more goal contributions to his name this term, while also currently ranking inside Serie A's top 30 for take-ons completed, big chances created and shots on target.

Lookman's success in Bergamo has not been without difficulties, though.

Following a 3-2 defeat to Lazio last October, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini questioned his mentality after a disappointing cameo from the bench.

The Italian coach said: "His [Lookman's] attitude was almost as if being a substitute was unacceptable."

But rather than wallowing in self pity, Lookman used the public criticism as motivation fuel, netting five goals and contributing three assists in the next 10 league matches before his AFCON call-up.

International success

London-born Lookman was capped by England at youth level, tallying 11 appearances for the Three Lions' Under-21s before choosing to represent Nigeria in January 2020.

His request was finally approved by FIFA in February 2022, with the Charlton academy graduate making his senior international bow a month later against Ghana. 

Lookman took a little while to flap his wings as a Super Eagle but has taken this edition of AFCON by storm.

He netted both goals in the 2-0 win over Cameroon in the last 16 before bagging the solitary strike in Nigeria's 1-0 quarter-final triumph over Angola.

Forming part of a dangerous front three alongside Osimhen and Moses Simon, Lookman will be desperate to deliver another match-winning display in Sunday's final.

Final showdown

Lookman and Nigeria will face a fired-up Ivory Coast outfit desperate for revenge on home soil.

The two nations met in the group stage of the tournament, with the Super Eagles winning 1-0 courtesy of a second-half penalty by captain William Troost-Ekong.

Two-time winners Ivory Coast sacked manager Jean-Louis Gasset after losing their next group match 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea but scraped through in third place and have since impressed in the knockouts by eliminating Senegal, Mali and DR Congo.

Lookman will need to be at the peak of his powers if he is to get the better of a defence containing Nottingham Forest's Willy Boly and Roma ace Evan Ndicka. 

But if form is anything to go by, it could be a long night for the Elephants' back-line — and may well end with Lookman lifting the first senior trophy of his career.