It was again cometh the hour, cometh the man as Ademola Lookman shone so brightly through the cold, wintry night in the Northwestern Moroccan city of Fes.
And this is even against a well-circulated prophesy declared the tournament kicked off.
He fired a shot past a crowd of Tunisian defenders for the Super Eagles third goal after he delivered two superb assists for Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi to make hay against the Carthage Eagles from Tunisia.
He was the official CAF Man of Match as Nigeria rose to the top of the standings to book their passage to the knockout rounds of Morocco 2025 on a perfect six points from two matches.
"I think he's hugely important for the national team."
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 27, 2025
Our AFCON expert @MimosaFawaz talks Ademola Lookman and Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/I481H0dZc2
“We can be proud of ourselves. We’re pleased with the victory, our performance was good, but there are still stuffs to improve on,” he said after his latest heroics.
‘Mola’ has now turned the pain of missing out on a big-money transfer from Italian club Atalanta last summer to a new power.
The long-drawn transfer drama adversely affected his form, but he has since turned the corner to hit the lofty heights that crowned him Africa’s best player of 2024.
Last year, he scored three goals and made an assist as Nigeria far exceeded expectations to reach the final of the delayed 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
In North Africa, he has reignited his deadly combination upfront with Osimhen, who he is very happy to play alongside and wreck havoc.
He planted the cross for Osimhen to open scoring against Tunisia just before the break, while Osimhen repaid the favour as he was unselfish to set him up for Nigeria’s third goal halfway through the second half.
“‘Vic’ is a top, top striker, everyone in the world knows this. He scores goals and we have a good rapport as we try to find each other on the pitch, long may it continue,” he offered.
The Super Eagles as a whole have also enjoyed the versatility of Ademola Lookman.
In Morocco, he has played more in the hole, behind the top striker, as against the more familiar winger he is.
He said he is happy to be of service for the group.
“I am happy to play anywhere to help the team,” he said.
“I play in the hole, which brings me closer to goal and makes me more dangerous.
“I try to get into spaces, where I can hurt the opponents.”
