Current African Men’s Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has attributed his rise in the football echelon to his decision to dump the English national team, The Three Lions, to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Atalanta striker, who was named the African Player of the Year after a sterling 2024 season where he kept putting up superb performances for both club and country, credited the success of his career to his decision to snub England and commit to Nigeria.

“I think ever since I put on the Super Eagles jersey, it’s been fruitful,” Lookman said in an interview on SportyTV.

“We’ve been able to achieve a lot as a team and we’re still going as a team. But the camaraderie is something that’s very special within the squad.

“It is an incredible achievement and an incredible moment. It is special to join a list of many great players who have achieved a lot in the game. They are legends.

“There have been many special moments this year, and I can speak about a lot of good ones. But also the tough moments, like when you don’t feel like hitting the gym, but you push through and end up doing that session—it gives you more strength. Those difficult moments have given me that extra strength,” he said.

The Atalanta forward believes that his decision to represent Nigeria has contributed to a significant personal and professional growth, allowing him to continue thriving with the national team.

Before switching allegiance to play for the Super Eagles in 2022, Lookman had represented England at youth level, including winning the U-20 World Cup in 2017 but he had a stop-start career with stints at Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City, before he was shipped to Atalanta, initially on loan, before the move was made permanent.

But the turning point in Lookman’s career came when he decided to switch allegiance to Nigeria and has never looked back as everything he touched turned to gold.

The London-born Lookman made his Super Eagles debut in March 2022 against Ghana, and he has since described this moment as a turning point in his career.

He has scored eight goals and provided four assists and was the star man at the 2023 AFCON tournament where he netted three goals and registered one assist, and was named in the tournament team.

he African football fraternity was thrown into mourning following the untimely demise of promising Kenyan striker, Ezekiel Otuoma, who died on Saturday from Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The former AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars winger tragically passed away after battling valiantly with an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves.

Otuoma was 31, was diagnosed with the disease which is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons in 2020, and it left him confined in a wheelchair.

The disease ultimately ended Otuoma’s glittering career in the Kenyan Premier League that saw him also turn out for Western Stima, Muhoroni Youth, Ulinzi Stars and Talanta FC.

His wife Racheal, who stood by him all through the years, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a heartfelt social media post on Saturday morning, expressing deep sorrow:

“You left a hole in my heart that no one else can fill. The emptiness in my arms reminds me of the love we shared. Your love was a gift and I’ll cherish it always,” she wrote.

The distraught woman also penned an emotional message to the late footballer who died on her birthday.

“To my Husband, you left a hole in my heart that no one else can fill. The emptiness in my arms reminds me of the love we shared. Your love was a gift, and I’ll cherish it always. I loved you dearly in death, and I love you still in my heart.

“Though it was so soon, that really broke my heart. You left on my birthday, and it will never be the same again. You never said goodbye. In life, I loved you dearly and in death, I love you still,” she wrote.

The death of Otuoma has also left Kenyans in shock as many did not foresee his passing despite being incapacitated.

Since his death was announced, tributes have continued to pour in from clubs, players, and fans who remembered him not only for his prowess on the field but also for his resilience off it.

“We pray that the Almighty comforts and strengthens the Otuoma’s family, his friends and supporters. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the whole football fraternity. Rest in Peace Otuoma,” his last club, AFC Leopard shared in a post on X.

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of Ezekiel Otuoma after a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease. Otuoma will be remembered for his lethal prowess, which made him a tough opponent to face on several occasions we faced him during his playing days,” read the club’s tribute.

The striker rose to prominence during his stints with Muhoroni Youth and Western Stima and later earned a call-up to the Kenya Under-23 team in 2015 and was part of the Harambee Stars provisional squad for international friendlies in 2017.

Another of his former clubs,
Sofapaka FC, also honored his memory by emphasizing his fighting spirit.

“Batoto ba Mungu is sending love and strength to the family of Ezekiel Otuoma. A true warrior both on and off the field. A fighter has left us, but his memories will remain etched in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Ezekiel Otuoma,” the club posted.

In its tribute, Kenya Footballers Welfare Association said:

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of our member and former player Ezekiel Otuoma. Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and Kenyan football fraternity.”

Michael Olunga, the Harambee Stars captain, added a personal tribute, describing Otuoma as a champion who inspired many young players with his skill and determination.

“Rest in peace, champ,” Olunga wrote alongside a photo of Otuoma in his Western Stima jersey.