Lookman says Super Eagles battle-ready for AFCON’s quarter-final with Algeria

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman says Nigeria’s confidence is growing with each match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as the team prepares for a heavyweight quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

The Atalanta winger, Nigeria’s standout performer, earned his second Man of the Match award in their last outing. He has been instrumental in attack, tallying three goals and five assists at AFCON 2025, bringing his overall tournament tally to seven goals.

“It’s been great,” Lookman said. “The team is improving every single game.”

Operating in a fluid front three with Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen, Lookman has helped ensure a constant attacking threat.

He quickly dismissed any significance of a brief on-pitch exchange with Osimhen in a previous match, attributing it to normal football intensity.

“Nothing happened, just a discussion on the pitch. That’s it,” he stated. “These things happen in football, and you move on.”

Lookman highlighted the pride and responsibility of representing Nigeria as a key motivator.

“I get the opportunity to represent my country, and I know how much weight that bears,” he told reporters. “So I try to use that pressure to perform.”

Ahead of the high-stakes showdown in Marrakech, Lookman anticipates a fierce contest.

“The quarter-finals of the AFCON is something to look forward to,” he said. “Another big battle awaits us, so we need to be ready.”

He emphasized the need for physical and mental readiness against one of Africa’s most experienced sides.

“Everyone is physically strong. It’s about meeting them on the field, being intelligent, and being ready,” Lookman explained, reaffirming the team’s aggressive winning mentality.

Both nations, with five African titles between them, will vie for a semi-final spot in what is considered one of the most glamorous editions in AFCON’s 69-year history.

Lookman, alongside Osimhen—who also has three goals—remains central to Nigeria’s hopes as they seek to go one step further than their runner-up finish in 2023.

The winger concluded with a message of perseverance: “Keep on focusing, keep on believing in yourself. Good things will come.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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