By Rasaq Oboirien
Atalanta has confirmed that Ademola Lookman will leave Italy today to link up with his Super Eagles teammates, at the camp of the three-time AFCON champions that is billed to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Lookman and 24 other Nigerian stars invited by Jose Peseiro for the AFCON in Ivory Coast are expected to start arriving in Abu Dhabi, as from Tuesday, January 2 for a one-week training camp that will last until Tuesday, January 9.
Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini further hopes Lookman ‘doesn’t get injured’ when on AFCON duty for Nigeria, who’s seeking a fourth title after winning its last in South Africa 2003.
It took a daisy-cutter from the Nigerian to secure all three points at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
“It was a good game, just like it was against Bologna before our undeserved defeat,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“We struggled in the final 10 minutes, but Lecce deserved the credit for that. It’s never easy, they are well organised, so we had to be patient and that also means giving them the occasional scoring opportunity.
“After the goal, we were unable to kill off the game, so naturally the opponents will push in that situation.”
Lookman’s goal was his final contribution before leaving for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria, leaving Atalanta a little short-staffed in attack.
“Unfortunately Lookman will fly out today (Sunday), but we have Muriel, Scamacca, De Ketelaere, Miranchuk and Toure. It will be an opportunity for them.
“I don’t want to act like I’m wishing Nigeria don’t do well, but naturally we hope Lookman isn’t away for too long. Above all, we hope he doesn’t get injured.”
Meanwhile, after the one-week training camp in Abu Dhabi, the Super Eagles will fly back to Lagos on Tuesday January 9, and then fly into the Ivorian capital, Abidjan on Wednesday, January 10.
The Super Eagles, in their quest for a fourth continental title, will take on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14 in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire (January 18) and Guinea Bissau (January 22).
Nigeria, who will be participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 20th time, were champions as hosts in 1980, triumphant in Tunisia in 1994 and crowned winners in South Africa in 2013.