Finidi, Eguavoen hails Lookman after Europa League glory

Super Eagles head coach Finidi George and the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, have praised Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman after his hat-trick led the Italian side to European glory.

Atalanta secured their first European trophy and major title in 61 years by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, ending the German champions' 51-game unbeaten run at the Dublin Arena.

Lookman made history as the first African to score a hat-trick in a European final. He scored in the 12th minute, added a second 14 minutes later, and completed his hat-trick in the second half.

Impressed by Lookman's performance, Finidi George, who was recently appointed as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, praised the 26-year-old's display. He also commended his fellow compatriots, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, who also played in the match.

“Watching Ademola Lookman, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface in the Europa League final was a thing of joy and national pride. Well done, guys. And what a performance that was from Lookman!,” Finidi wrote on X.

Lookman made his debut under Augustine Eguavoen during the two-legged 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ghana in 2022, and the ex-international couldn’t be prouder of the England-born player.

“March 25 2022. The day I gave Ademola Lookman his national debut for Nigeria, 1000 kilometres away in Kumasi. Fast forward two years, he’s starred at the AFCON in Ivory Coast and become the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA club final,” Eguavoen noted.

Since making his debut, Lookman has played 21 times for Nigeria, scoring six goals having grown to be one of the most influential members of the Super Eagles in two years.