The bright lights of Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw will shine on Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on the quest to etch his name alongside some of Nigeria’s footballing greats. on the precipice of history while leading Atalanta’s attack against the formidable Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
With a short and exclusive list of Nigerian footballers who have graced this prestigious stage, Lookman has a chance to join an elite club—one that has seen only three of his compatriots lift this coveted trophy.
To date, just three Nigerians have tasted UEFA Super Cup glory. The trailblazers were Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George, integral members of the Ajax squad that ruled Europe in the mid-90s. Their crowning achievement came in 1995, as Ajax dismantled Real Zaragoza over two legs with a resounding 4-0 aggregate victory. Finidi George, the livewire on the wing, played a crucial role in the first leg, while Kanu’s impact was felt in the second as Ajax celebrated their dominance.
The following Nigerian to hoist the UEFA Super Cup was Celestine Babayaro. In 1998, Babayaro was part of a Chelsea team that secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, courtesy of a late strike from Gus Poyet. Babayaro’s defensive discipline was instrumental in stifling the Spanish giants, ensuring that the Blues added another piece of silverware to their burgeoning trophy cabinet.
While these three stand tall in Nigerian football lore, others have had Super Cup dreams end in heartbreak. Chidi Odiah’s experience with CSKA Moscow in 2005 was a bitter one, as the Russian side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool, despite Odiah’s full-blooded effort over 90 minutes. Julius Aghahowa, too, found himself on the losing end when Shakhtar Donetsk fell to Barcelona in 2009, with a late goal from Pedro dashing the Ukrainian club’s hopes.
John Obi-Mikel and Victor Moses, both of Chelsea, suffered similar fates in consecutive finals. Mikel endured a 4-1 drubbing by Atlético Madrid in 2012, followed by an agonizing penalty shootout loss to Bayern Munich in 2013. Moses, on the bench for the 2012 defeat, could only watch as his teammates were overrun.
Ademola Lookman now carries the weight of history on his shoulders. His journey to this moment has been nothing short of spectacular. Last season, the winger was instrumental in Atalanta’s remarkable run to the UEFA Europa League title, capped off by a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen—an extraordinary feat that ended the German side’s 51-game unbeaten run in Dublin.
Tonight, Lookman faces a different kind of challenge. Real Madrid, a club synonymous with success on the grandest of stages, awaits him. The Spanish giants have an unparalleled record in finals, often finding a way to emerge victorious when it matters most. Yet, for all their pedigree, they are not infallible.
For Lookman, this is more than just a match; it’s an opportunity to join the pantheon of Nigerian football legends. To be mentioned in the same breath as Finidi, Kanu, and Babayaro would be a monumental achievement. But to do so, he must guide his team past one of the most decorated clubs in the world—a task as daunting as it is exhilarating.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, fans across Nigeria and beyond will watch with bated breath. The UEFA Super Cup has been a proving ground for Europe’s finest, and for Ademola Lookman, it represents the chance to solidify his place in history. Whether he can rise to the occasion and lead Atalanta to glory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: tonight, all eyes will be on him.
In the narrative of Nigerian football, the UEFA Super Cup has always been a stage for the extraordinary. Now, it’s Lookman’s turn to write his chapter. The world will be watching, and history beckons.
