Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman is keeping his focus steady despite being nominated for the prestigious African Player of the Year award.
In an interview with 54footballx, Lookman revealed he is under no pressure as a result of the nomination, but committed to his daily efforts on the pitch, aiming to represent his country at the highest level.
“I don’t think I’m feeling any additional pressure,” Lookman said.
“I’ve kept the same mindset and work ethic, which is doing my best on the pitch. I try to improve every day. If I can win the award, it will be special, most definitely. For me, my family, my people, and my country, but you know that’s in the future and the future is yet to come. Right now, I’m focused on doing my best.”
Lookman also reflected on Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 AFCON final, where they narrowly missed out on the title after losing to hosts Ivory Coast. The disappointment, he believes, will fuel the team’s ambitions in upcoming tournaments.
“It is disappointing to get to the final and lose, but life is like that sometimes,” he said.
“We’re going to take the pain from that and use it to be stronger. For us as a team, we suffered in the final, we suffered that emotion. I’m sure we’ll use that pain in Morocco 2025 to do great things.”
Lookman finished in 14th place in this year’s Ballon d’Or after emerging the only African who made the 30-man nomination.
He is up against teammate William Troost-Ekong and eight others for the best player in Africa award, with the winner set to be name next month in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
