AFCON 2023: Atalanta Coach Opens Up on His Wish for Nigeria’s Super Eagles

• The African Cup of Nations is set to herald the early stages of 2024
• Serie A club Atalanta are set to be without forward Ademola Lookman
• Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has opened up on his wish for the Super Eagles

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is poised to herald football through the early stages of 2024, and many elite European clubs are set to lose their marquee African players for the duration of the tournament.

While a few clubs are already putting in place contingency plans to ensure adequate cover is available for the absence of their respective players, a few appear all torn up about the idea of a player leaving for international duties at such a crucial time of the season.

Amongst the many who are relatively displeased about the timing of the AFCON and the idea of losing a marquee player to the biennial football competition is Atalanta coach Gian Peiro Gasperini.

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The 65-year-old has not held back his reservations about the competition and, precisely, the idea of losing out on his highly talented forward, Ademola Lookman, for a period ranging between four and five weeks in the crucial stages of the season.

Following his side's hard-fought one-nil win in which Lookman was the goalscorer against Leece, the Italian gaffer took to the media to air his displease with regards to the timing of the AFCON, including his wish for the Nigeria national team at the competition.

Gasperini on the AFCON

As reported by Football Italia, when quizzed about the looming departure of Lookman, Gasperini stated:

“Unfortunately, Lookman will fly out tomorrow, 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.”

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While Gasperini wishes for Lookman's swift return, the potential progression of the Super Eagles to the semi-finals could mean that Lookman might not be back at Atalanta until February at the earliest.

Nonetheless, the Italian gaffer's frustration stems from the fact that Lookman remains the Bergamo club's best-performing forward of 2023, according to data courtesy of Fotmob.

Lookman scores brilliant goal

Sports Brief in a previous report highlighted that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored a brilliant goal in his side’s hard-fought victory against Leece.

The 26-year-old, who has been in stellar form since the start of the season, scored his seventh goal of the campaign. Lookman’s strike ensured Atalanta close in on their other top rival, Bologna and AC Milan.