Lookman: Team Success More Important Than Personal Awards at AFCON
Ademola Lookman has been the standout attacking player at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations so far, but the Super Eagles forward says his focus is firmly on team success.
As Nigeria prepare for a tough quarter-final clash against Algeria, the Atalanta star has played down talk of personal awards despite his impressive form at the tournament in Morocco.
Lookman heads into the knockout stage as the competition’s highest-rated player. He has recorded seven goal contributions in just three matches, scoring three goals and providing four assists. No other player has had a bigger influence on games at AFCON 2025.
His performances have put him among the favourites for the Most Valuable Player award. He has already been named Man of the Match twice, in wins against Tunisia and Mozambique. He is also just one goal behind the current top scorer as the race for the Golden Boot remains tight.
Despite this, Lookman insists individual honours are not important to him.
“I’m only thinking about the team winning,” he said after Nigeria’s victory over Mozambique. “We are in the quarter-finals now, and the next match will be against another strong team. Scoring four goals was a big team effort, and that is what matters to me.”
Lookman’s form is a continuation of his strong displays at the previous AFCON, where he scored three goals and was named in the Team of the Tournament. His impact at this year’s competition has been even greater.
He currently leads the tournament in assists and is among the top scorers. His goals have also placed him among Nigeria’s most successful players in AFCON history, as he now ranks joint third on the country’s all-time scoring list at the tournament.
Nigeria are aiming to win a fourth AFCON title, and the quarter-final against Algeria is expected to be their toughest challenge so far. For Lookman, however, the goal remains clear: helping the Super Eagles move one step closer to lifting the trophy.
