By Kayode John
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has revealed that players in the national team, particularly Victor Osimhen, aided his integration into the national team by showing him warmth and ensuring he speaks Yoruba language.
Born to Nigerian parents from the Yoruba-speaking South West in Wandsworth, England, Lookman switched his allegiance to the African country in 2022 after representing his nation of birth at U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels respectively.
Since making his debut during the play-offs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 27-year-old has been brilliant for the three-time African champions.
He cited the friendly atmosphere as being key to making his switch quite easy.
“When I first joined the Super Eagles, I’m very glad there was a group of people that welcomed me and were very loving to me and took me in as one of their own,” he told the BBC.
“It’s a dream and it’s an honour to be here, to be able to wear that badge on my chest.
“We are proud as a group of what we achieved at the AFCON. Now, some people speak Yoruba to me. If somebody wants to tell me something, they tell me in Yoruba.
“Like Victor Osimhen, he would speak to me in Yoruba. But sometimes, if he says something to me in Yoruba, and I can reply in Yoruba, then I say it.”
Lookman announced himself at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire where he scored three goals and registered an assist.
The Atalanta forward was named in the Team of the Tournament for his impressive performances for the Super Eagles, who reached the the final of the competition.
Since after the AFCON, Lookman’s career has experienced been on an upward trajectory.
He scored 17 goals for Atalanta last season, including a hat-trick in the final of the UEFA Europa League, guiding his club to a 3-0 victory and their first-ever European trophy.
He has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, shortlisted for the 2024 International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player and 2024 CAF Player of the Year Award.
He has scored eight goals in 26 appearances for Nigeria.
