'He's in form' - Ex-Reggiana defender Olorunleke predicts Lookman will replace Osimhen as African POTY

Atalanta of Italy winger, Ademola Lookman could be on his way towards becoming the next African Footballer of The Year

This is the verdict of former AC Reggiana of Italy defender and coach, Mathew Olorunleke , who sees Lookman as the lad to take over the African diadem from his compatriot and fellow-Italy-based attacker, Victor Osimhen.

Dramatically, Lookman gave Osimhen a run for his money en route to the SC Napoli striker emerging as the first African player to win the Serie A's top scorer award last season.

Lookman has also recently emerged as a summer transfer target for French Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint-Germain, who not too long ago ended their pursuit of Osimhen due to Napoli's hefty asking price.

Mathew Olorunleke , who played for nine different clubs in Italy - Regianna, Tiento, Messina, Nocerina, Catanzaro, Lecco, Rovigo, Bagnolese and Juve Stabia - sees Lookman as the next Nigerian star to be crowned Africa's best.

"Lookman is in form and on fire. He did well last season in the Serie A. He was also great at the Africa Nations Cup and he helped Atalanta win the Europa League," Olorunleke pointed out.

His references are to Lookman's back-to-back status as Atalanta's player of the year, three goals in helping Nigeria to silver at this year's AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire and a hat-trick that gave his club their first ever European title. 

However, while tipping the former Waterloo, Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham and Leicester City of England star for Africa's top diadem, Olorunleke ruled him out of contention for the ultimate acclamation as world best.

Osimhen did make a resounding mark last time out in placing 8th on the final log for World Player of The Year, but Olorunleke, who previously worked as head coach at Bagnolese, reckons that the global gong is beyond Lookman, who had also played for RB Leipzig of Germany some years back.

"Becoming world player of the year is not just about what you do on the pitch; it also includes the image you create off it. 

"When we talk about world footballer of the year, we talk about a brand. Football is now more than just playing the game," the ex-player fondly called 'Leke' explained.

He, nonetheless, rates Lookman high and interjected that the 26-year-old dazzler, who scored three goals in helping England win the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, is one of the reasons (along with Osimhen) why Nigeria's Super Eagles remain a team to be feared, despite their recent foibles.

Femi Fasetire

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