Pinnick proud of Lookman as Ekong, Eagles coaches hail forward

Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, is delighted to have convinced the newly crowned African Footballer of The Year, Ademola Lookman, to play for Nigeria during his tenure which ended in 2022, The PUNCH reports.

Lookman won the CAF Player of The Year award on Monday night, beating off competitions from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy.

After featuring for England at the youth level and winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, Lookman successfully switched his nationality to Nigeria in February 2022 and made his debut against Ghana during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers playoff a month later.

Three years after the switch, the 27-year-old has won the most prestigious individual award on the continent, becoming the sixth Nigerian and marking the seventh time the honour would be claimed by a Nigerian.

Pinnick, who was the president of the NFF during that period couldn’t be more proud of being able to facilitate Lookman’s switch when he opted to play for Nigeria.

“I recall just before he (Lookman) played his first game for Nigeria. There were documents/correspondence he needed. I had to rush to the Ikoyi club to meet his dad to ensure I got it personally,” Pinnick said via OJB Sports after Monday’s award in Morocco.

“It was a lot of effort. A lot of people called me to talk about the role that I played (in making Lookman play for Nigeria) but I wanted everything to be organic.

“We are very proud of him and this should be a turning point for greater things to come for him.”

Lookman’s overwhelming credentials for club and country, leading up to the ceremony sealed the crown for him.

Aside from scoring a hat-trick, which landed the UEFA Europa League title for Atalanta in May, Lookman has been a talismanic figure for the club, scoring 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances in all competitions this season.

For Nigeria, he netted three times at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast and also scored two goals as Nigeria qualified for the 35th AFCON finals, with two other goals controversially chalked off.

Meanwhile, the congratulatory messages are still flowing for the Atalanta forward.

Super Eagles interim assistant coaches, Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu as well as Nigeria defender, William Troost-Ekong took to social media to applaud the player.

“I join numerous people all over the world to wish this amazing guy on & off-the-pitch. Congratulations Ademola Lookman, you are indeed an epitome of hope for the younger generations,” Ilechukwu wrote.

“A great example for many youngsters to emulate. Bigger wins to come Africa’s best, Ademola Lookman,” Ogunmodede also posted.

Troost-Ekong also said, “Deserved brother. We are all proud of you.”