Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Chelle, has assessed the performance of forward Ademola Lookman during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, acknowledging his impact in the early stages before noting a reduction in his influence as the tournament progressed. The comments follow Lookman’s high-profile transfer from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid shortly after the competition concluded.
Speaking to RMC Sport’s After Foot, Chelle offered a balanced review of the player’s tournament. “He [Lookman] was very good throughout the group phase, so exceptional,” Chelle stated. The coach credited Lookman for being a key offensive weapon during Nigeria’s initial matches. However, he pinpointed a shift during the quarter-final stage. “In the quarter-finals, it is true he started to falter a bit; physically, he is good, but it’s true we felt he was tired,” Chelle explained, suggesting accumulated fatigue impacted the winger’s dynamism at a critical moment.
The 2025 AFCON, hosted by Morocco, saw Nigeria navigate a challenging group before being eliminated in the last eight. Lookman, a pivotal figure in the Super Eagles’ attack, initially lived up to his status as a primary goal threat and creative outlet. Chelle’s remarks indicate that the physical demands of the tournament, which included several high-intensity games over a short period, ultimately affected the 26-year-old’s output in the knockout round.
This assessment arrives amidst a significant career development for Lookman. In the January transfer window following AFCON, he completed a move from Serie A club Atalanta to La Liga giants Atlético Madrid. The transfer represents a major step up, moving from a prominent European side to one of Spain’s top clubs, and underscores the high regard in which he is held despite any tournament fatigue.
While the quarter-final dip was noted, Chelle’s overarching narrative underscores Lookman’s value to the Nigerian squad. His group-stage displays were instrumental in progressing from a tough pool. The subsequent move to Atlético Madrid is a testament to his club-level quality and increasing reputation. For the Super Eagles, integrating a player fresh from a major transfer and managing his workload will be key as they look toward future qualifying campaigns and the next AFCON cycle. His experience from a demanding tournament, coupled with a new challenge at a top European club, positions him as a continued cornerstone for Nigeria’s ambitions.
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