Afrigather Ademola Lookman is on the verge of constructing historical past as he goals to turn into the newest Nigerian to win the celebrated UEFA Tremendous Cup, Soccernet.ng experiences.
Lookman, who at the moment plies his commerce with Atalanta, will likely be a key determine when the Italians tackle European giants Actual Madrid in Poland this Wednesday.
Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, secured their place on this match after a commanding 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Could.
Regardless of this achievement, they head into the conflict as underdogs in opposition to a Actual Madrid facet that dominated each the UEFA Champions League and La Liga final season.
Nevertheless, with Lookman of their ranks, Atalanta could consider they’ve a combating probability of their first-ever look within the UEFA Tremendous Cup.
Lookman may be a part of an elite group of Nigerian footballers who’ve lifted the UEFA Tremendous Cup if Atalanta can defy the chances and emerge victorious.
However what number of Nigerians have achieved this feat earlier than him?
The historical past of Nigerians within the UEFA Tremendous Cup started with two legends: Nwankwo Kanu and George Finidi.
These two stars have been a part of the Ajax squad that triumphed over Actual Zaragoza within the 1995 last.
The ultimate, performed over two legs, noticed Finidi play each minute of the primary recreation earlier than scoring within the reverse fixture as Ajax secured a 4-0 victory after a 1-1 draw within the first leg. Kanu additionally featured prominently, enjoying your entire second leg.
One other notable Nigerian winner is Celestine Babayaro, who in 1998, performed a vital function for Chelsea as they edged out Actual Madrid 1-0 on the Stade Louis II in Monaco, because of a late Gus Poyet strike.
Chidi Odiah and Julius Aghahowa additionally had their moments within the competitors, though neither managed to win the trophy.
Odiah featured for CSKA Moscow of their 2005 defeat to Liverpool, whereas Aghahowa got here off the bench for Shakhtar Donetsk in a slender 1-0 loss to Barcelona in 2009.
Extra lately, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses represented Chelsea within the 2012 UEFA Tremendous Cup, the place they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Mikel would return the next yr, solely to see his facet lose once more, this time to Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
Because it stands, solely three Nigerians—Finidi, Kanu, and Babayaro—have ever gained the UEFA Tremendous Cup. Finidi stays the one Nigerian to attain within the competitors.
Now, all eyes will likely be on Ademola Lookman as he makes an attempt to hitch this unique membership and make his mark on European soccer.
The extremely anticipated conflict will happen on the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
