Ademola Lookman Becomes Fourth Nigerian to Score Three Goals at AFCON Knockout Stage

• Ademola Lookman has netted his third goal at the Africa Cup of Nations
• The Super Eagles star helped Nigeria reach the semi-final of AFCON 2023
• Nigeria will face the winner of the game between Cape Verde and South Africa

Atalanta star Ademola Lookman is having a great Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The 26-year-old English-born forward gave the three-time champions the lead in their quarter-final clash against Angola just before half-time.

The Super Eagles winger has now netted three goals in the knockout stages, with two in the Round of 16 against Cameroon.

He becomes the fourth Nigerian to achieve that feat, following the footsteps of other legendary Super Eagles players Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, and Odion Ighalo.

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Lookman's form has been pivotal for the West African giants, who are chasing a fourth title in Cote d'Ivoire.

Nigeria will face the winner of the match between Cape Verde and South Africa if the game ends by the same scoreline.

Rashidi Yekini (1994)

The late Nigeria striker became the first Super Eagles player to score three goals at the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations. He scored twice against Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the quarter-final before netting in the semi-final against Cote d'Ivoire as Nigeria went on to win the tournament.

Jay Jay Okocha (2004)

Ten years later, Austin Jay Jay Okocha scored three goals at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages. The former Super Eagles captain netted against Cameroon in the quarter-final, before converting from the spot in the semi-final against Tunisia as Nigeria lost on penalties to the host. Okocha finished his tournament with a strike in the third-place game against Mali.

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Odion Ighalo (2019)

The Saudi-based striker finished top scorer at the competition in Egypt in 2019, but three of his five goals came in the knockout stage. Ighalo scored twice against Cameroon in the Round of 16, before adding another strike in the semi-final against eventual winners Algeria.

Lookman sends Nigeria into AFCON semis

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued their good run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated Angola in the quarter-final to book a place in the last four.

Ademola Lookman's first-half goal sealed a deserved victory for the Super Eagles against the Palancas Negras at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

Both started the game brightly, but the Black Antelopes got the first shot on target in the fourth minute with Mabululu's effort saved by Stanley Nwabili.