Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has openly stated that Nigeria's national football team arrived at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with one singular, dominant ambition: to be crowned champions of Africa.
A Dream Deferred in Morocco
The dream, however, concluded with a third-place finish after the team secured a victory over Egypt in a tense penalty shootout on Saturday night. Lookman, the Atalanta star, demonstrated remarkable composure by scoring the decisive penalty to seal a 4-2 win after regular time.
This podium finish came on the heels of a heartbreaking semifinal exit. Nigeria, the only team with a perfect record of five straight wins before the last four, was defeated by tournament hosts Morocco in another penalty shootout, shattering their hopes of reaching the final.
Lookman Reflects on Ambition and Achievement
Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the bronze medal match, Lookman was candid about the team's primary objective. He emphasized that settling for third was not the initial plan, though it represented a respectable consolation.
"Everyone wanted to win the gold medal. We came for the trophy but it didn't happen," Lookman admitted. "We leave that tournament with the bronze medal, and that is enough."
Despite the disappointment of missing the final, the winger highlighted the many positives from Nigeria's campaign. "It was a good competition from us. We scored a lot of goals, we created a lot of chances. We played some good football. We can be proud of what we have done," he said.
Individual Brilliance and Team Unity
Lookman was undoubtedly one of the standout players of the entire tournament. His personal tally of three goals and four assists was the highest combined contribution of any player at AFCON 2025, putting him in strong contention for a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.
Beyond individual statistics, Lookman praised the collective spirit within the Super Eagles squad. He pointed to the strong bond among players as a foundation for their performance. "There's unity in the team. We fought for each other, long may it continue," he added.
This third-place finish in Morocco marks a significant milestone in Nigerian football history. It is the ninth time the Super Eagles have claimed the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations, adding to previous third-place finishes in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2019.
