AFCON: Lookman’s dad says he’s ‘overly excited’ by son’s performance

Ademola Lookman Snr., the father of the Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, has expressed excitement with his son’s performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

He spoke at a pitch-side interview in the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday night after his son scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Angola in the quarter-finals.

Lookman Jnr. scored in the 41st minute of the match, expertly planting Moses Simon’s low cross into the roof of the net for what turned out to be the winner, taking his AFCON tally to three goals.

The 26-year-old had earlier scored twice to lead Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Cameroon.

Lookman’s goals came in the knockout round, putting him among Nigerian greats like Austin Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, and Odion Ighalo who have scored three or more times in the knockout stage of AFCON.

Reacting to his son’s AFCON exploit, Ademola Snr. said he was “overly excited” to watch his son score the goal that got the Eagles into the semi-finals.

📣 Ademola Lookman's dad reacts to his son's stellar performance. Nigerian pride at its peak! 🇳🇬💚 #SuperEagles #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/bfNtzPWGmO

Advertisement

— Town Crier (@The9jatowncrier) February 2, 2024

“It is an understatement if I say I’m happy, I am overwhelmed,” he said.

“I am so much happy. At least for Nigeria winning this game, because it is an advantage for us, and it gives us the drive to play in the next game and win.”

The Atalanta forward’s dad also predicted that Nigeria will win its semi-final clash against either Cape Verde or South Africa.

“We are going to win; I want to assure you,” he boasted.

Lookman Jnr, who previously turned down the chance to represent Nigeria in 2017, won the under-20 World Cup with England in the same year.