Neither Bafana Bafana nor Elephants: Lookman reveals the most difficult game he played at AFCON 

Ademola Lookman has revealed the most difficult game he played for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Atalanta forward made the left wing his own during the tournament in Ivory Coast, starting six of the seven matches contested by the three-time African champions. 

With most of the attention focused on Nigeria's star striker Victor Osimhen who was tightly marked at the AFCON, Lookman rose the occasion by scoring three goals, a feat that earned him a spot on the Team of the Tournament. 

The Super Eagles required extra time and penalties to beat South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the semifinals and came close to winning their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, only to fall short in the final against the Elephants despite taking the lead. 

When asked to reveal his most difficult game at the AFCON that made him tense, whether it was against Ivory Coast or another opponent, Lookman told Calister Enejele that the Super Eagles' opener against Equatorial Guinea was the most challenging. 

"'Probably Equatorial Guinea because we played at 2pm, the heat and humidity was tough for us. Probably you have to say that game. "

Lookman was Nigeria's top scorer at the 2023 AFCON with three goals to his name after finding the net in knockout round matches against Cameroon and Angola. 

The 2017 Fifa U20 World Cup winner with England was delighted to be the country's highest goalscorer in his first major tournament for the Super Eagles.

"Very happy. Obviously being an attacking player, you always want to help the team in that way, so very glad.I was happy to do that, the team was amazing and everybody helped out."

On the goal that gave hm goosebumps, Lookman stated: "The second goal against Cameroon, I think with the celebrations and everything after that. It was crazy with the team, that was probably the highlight".

Since making his senior debut in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana's Black Stars, Lookman has registered ten goal involvements in twenty-one matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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