It is no news that Ademola Lookman is the current African Player of the Year (POTY). He was voted the best player given his performance in Atalanta and the Nigeria National Team. He helped Atalanta win the Europa League with a hat trick in the final. Additionally, he assisted his national team in coming second in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
This win doesn’t only mean a victory to him alone but also to the Nigeria National Team. It has projected the team in a good light on the global stage. How? In this write-up, we will be discussing what this African POTY win means to Nigerian Footballers abroad.
Ademola Lookman POTY Win Mean For Nigerian Footballers Abroad
The following are the effects of Ademola Lookman POTY win on foreign-based Nigerian footballers:
Attraction For Foreign Based Players
The emergence of Ademola Lookman as the African Best Player would no doubt attract more foreign-based Nigerians to play for the national team. Most times, foreign-based Nigerian players are of the thought that African Football is disorganized. As a result, some have even gone as far as declining the invitation to play for the national team.
Even though Ademola Lookman played for the English National Team in his development ages. He made the needed changes to play for his motherland after observing the success of Nigerian Football in many tournaments. Similarly, observing the success of Ademola Lookman would play a great role in encouraging foreign-based Nigerian footballers too
Adequate Recognition In The Team
There have been recent talks of players not getting recognized by their national team. Unfortunately, this has been the major reason players opt to stop playing for their national team. That is not the case with many African players. In Nigeria, specifically, players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been recognized continentally for their work in the national team. This show of love doesn’t just end at the award gala night!
Right from the National Team training, players enjoy the warm reception from the fans. More so, while in the stadium. To repay this act, Nigerian footballers try to give back to the fans in some way or the other. For example, Victor Osimhengave foodstuffs and vehicles to some individuals in his hometown. In addition, Victor Boniface has made it an act to do random giveaways on his social media handles to Nigerians.
These examples show that they receive immense support from Nigerian fans. As a result, they try to repay the act by doing kind deeds. Foreign players can follow in the path of Ademola Lookman and get recognized for their wonderful performances too!
Nothing Beats Representing Your Motherland
Foreign-based players have nothing to fear representing their motherland. There is nothing that beats representing your motherland. Many players like Troost Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Ademola Lookman have shown that this is possible. There is no favoritism in the selection of home-based players ahead of foreign-based ones. The case of Lookman has shown that if you are good enough, you will get the call-up.
Of course, the Nigerian Football Federation is blessed with many foreign-based players and coaches. For example, the NFF had always preferred foreign coaches over local coaches. If Ademola Lookman – who is foreign-based can become the best, this is a great motivation to play for the Nigerian National Team!
Eyes On African Football
Recall, Ademola Lookman helped Atalanta win their first Europa League title. He managed to score a hat trick in the final. Being the first African to do so, has pointed a spectrum of attention to African Football. It has simply shown that footballers in Africa have enormous talent. This is the reason international footballers congratulated Lookman on his CAF Best Player Award.
Foreign-based players can use this to their advantage. A good performance at any CAF competition can propel their career. For example, Troost Ekong made a dream move from PAOK FC to Al Khalood in Saudi Arabia after the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. For the record, he got a higher salary after his move to Al Khalood. This is to show that there are eyes that watch the African Competition
The Nigeria National Team is steadily looking for exceptional footballers with Nigerian roots. No better time than now to make the change to the Nigerian National Team. Granted, it may be hard to make the needed changes. It is worth it in the long run!
Rapid Development In African Football
There has always been a grapevine that African football is underdeveloped. From Ademola’s experience, that can categorically be said to be false. Ademola Lookman played an essential role in Nigeria reaching the final of the f CAF Cup. Never for once did he complain of the pitches or bad officiating. In the last CAF Cup, Video Assistant Referees (VAR) were used at intervals.
All these points show that African Football has advanced from the medieval to the modern era. Foreign-based players can enjoy football the same way they do in Europe. More so, the evidence was glaring when Morocco played in the semifinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Priority To African National Teams
Most times, foreign-based Nigerian players neglect to play for their African country. This was a bit different in Ademola Lookman’s case. Although, he played his developmental football with the English National Team. Later, he chose to play for his home country. He knew the importance of representing his home country in competitions.
Foreign-based Nigerian players in different countries can emulate Ademola Lookman. They should give priority to the national team regardless of the foreign countries where they are raised. Legendary players like Mikel Obi have called on foreign-based Nigerian footballers to treat the Nigerian Team as a priority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ademola Lookman has shown that it is possible to succeed anywhere. The decision to represent his motherland has proven to be positive. Ademola Lookman has even been recognized at other awards nights like the Balon D’or. He was part of the highly ranked nominee in this event. Remember, this would not have been possible if he hadn’t switched to the Nigerian National Team!
