Ahead of the senior national team of Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations final game against Cote d’Ivoire tomorrow head coach of the team Jose Peseiro has highlighted the importance of one of his key players at the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Ademola Lookman has been sighted as the team’s most prolific forward and important player with three goals so far making him the team’s highest goal scorer. He scored in all but one game in the knock out round ahead of tomorrow’s final.
Peseiro reckoned that even though the Atalanta star is key to his team, the main player making the set up work is Napoli’s forward Victor Osimhen even though he hasn’t delivered the goals as expected by many in the build up to the tournament.
“He (Lookman) is a very big figure, but the main figure is Osimhen, who forms a team with collective spirit and believes in what we’re doing”, Peseiro said .
“Our biggest figure is Osimhen, who works hard for the team: attacking, defending, and providing a lot of depth”.
Speaking further he explained the reason behind the explosive form of Lookman, which he said took time because he had to adopt to the culture, style and demand of playing football in Africa.
He’s the son of Nigerians, and he already played for England U-17s, but he came to play with us, as others have,” Peseiro said of Lookman.
“Lookman is having a fantastic tournament, but when he arrived, he had difficulties adapting to African football, as others have. It’s a more physical, open, faster football, less organized. Some players need time, and Lookman is now at his best since joining the Nigerian team.
“Conditions here are different; the food, logistics, everything is different and requires more sacrifice from players who are used to having everything in Europe. It’s a whole different ball game here.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
