Sport
Ademola Lookman Names Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey as His Closest Friends in the Super Eagles
Ademola Lookman, the talented winger for Atalanta and a standout player for the Nigerian national team, has shared the names of his closest friends within the Super Eagles squad.
In a remarkable year for the 27-year-old, Lookman was recently crowned the CAF Player of the Year for 2024, solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s top football talents.
This recognition caps off a stellar period in his career, which saw him become a key figure for Nigeria on the international stage.
Though Lookman only began his journey with the Super Eagles in 2021 following FIFA’s approval of his international switch from England, he has quickly made his mark.
Lookman played an instrumental role in Nigeria’s impressive run during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held earlier this year.
His standout performances included scoring two crucial goals in the Round of 16 against Cameroon, helping Nigeria secure a decisive victory.
He followed that up with a match-winning goal against Angola in the quarter-finals, further cementing his status as one of the team’s go-to players in critical moments.
Despite falling short in the final, Lookman’s contributions were pivotal in propelling the team to such heights.
When asked about his close relationships within the Super Eagles, Lookman revealed that he shares a strong bond with a select group of players, referring to them as the “innit boys,” a nod to their shared British-Nigerian backgrounds.
He specifically mentioned Joe Aribo, a versatile midfielder currently playing for Southampton, and Calvin Bassey, a dynamic defender who made waves with his transfer to Fulham.
Both players, like Lookman, have roots in England but chose to represent Nigeria on the international stage, forging deep connections both on and off the pitch.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola states that Footballer Matheus Nunes needs improvement as he is not fitting for a midfielder.
During a brief exchange with the reporters the manager speaks on Nunes stating “He can become a good right-back due to his physicality.”
“I think he’s not a player suited to midfield because he’s not clever enough in terms of composure, but he has incredible skills and is learning a lot.”
The biggest mistake for full-backs is when they don’t react to crosses to the far post, they are often caught out.
“But he defended really well against two or three crosses, such as when Bruno put one into the far post for Dorgu.”
“He has the awareness and physicality to perform in that role, so he can play there and help us a lot.”
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has raised concerns that the club could be forced to sell two of its brightest young stars — Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho — during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Scholes shared his thoughts following United’s goalless draw with Manchester City. He expresses doubts about the club’s financial strength to bring in the quality players needed to improve the squad.
Scholes questioned whether there’s enough money to make necessary signings. He said especially after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent interviews, which hinted at financial strain within the club.
“It doesn’t feel like the manager will be handed a large budget,” Scholes said. “I have a feeling they might end up selling Mainoo and Garnacho. It would be a tough one to accept, especially Mainoo, who’s been at United since he was a kid.”
Scholes also pointed out that the lack of funds could be a major issue heading into the summer. Also, he noted that Ratcliffe had already mentioned the club was nearly out of cash before implementing cost-cutting strategies.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim responded to Gary Neville’s criticism following his team’s goalless draw with Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Although Manchester City dominated possession, neither side seemed particularly eager to claim all three points, resulting in a disappointing 0-0 draw.
Neville, a Manchester United legend, expressed his frustration with the performance, criticizing both teams for their lack of spontaneity and overemphasis on tactical shape. On Sky Sports, he commented, “They’re all so obsessed with shape… nothing off-the-cuff is happening in lots of games… This has got to stop…”
When asked about Neville’s remarks in a post-match interview, Amorim gave a calm response, saying, “I understand. I understand that Gary Neville is critical of everything!”
The draw left Manchester City in fifth place, still behind Chelsea, who also played out a 0-0 draw with Brentford earlier in the day. Meanwhile, United remained in 13th place, with 38 points from 31 matches, with just seven games remaining in the season.
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