“We know of their quality” – Ademola Lookman talks up Rwanda ahead of Super Eagles clash

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, has spoken highly of Rwanda ahead of their World Cup qualifier tomorrow, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old attacker touched down Kigali on Monday, alongside William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi ahead of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Friday, and has participated in all of the team’s full training sessions.

Ahead of the game against Rwanda tomorrow, Lookman has backed the Super Eagles for success, while admitting the Amavubi will be tough to play against.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

What Lookman said

Quizzed about how feels to reunite with the Nigerian squad for the first time since he was crowned the best player in Africa, Lookman counted his blessings.

“It’s a blessing, it’s a pleasure, and most definitely an honour. The people here who have won the award, like my teammate last year, Osimhen, my brother.

“To be able to be crowned this is a blessing. It’s something I hold with great honour and great respect,” the former RB Leipzig attacker said in an interview with the NFF.

Ademola Lookman of Atalanta celebrating his goal vs Juventus. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Ahead of the game against Rwanda, Lookman urged his teammates to fight for three points in Kigali.

“Now, the team is looking forward to Friday’s game, the first game. We’re looking to go out there and to work hard and to impose ourselves on the game and have a good time.

“We know Rwanda is a good team, we know about their quality, but at the end of the day, we need to be focusing on ourselves and try to bring the game to them, to fight together for the win.”

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman of Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Nigeria and Guinea Bissau at Abuja Stadium. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

“Everybody knows the level of the players that we have here. It’s an incredible group of players, and most importantly, they’re good people. Everyone has the same objective – to want to win, and that’s very important.

“The group is together, very tight-knit, so that’s the winning formula. Everybody’s positive, we’ve had two good training sessions. So we’re looking forward to putting out a great performance,” the CAF Player of the year concluded.

Lookman Ademola during the World Cup Qualifiers match between Nigeria and Lesotho at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Uyo. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

When Will Nigeria play?

Nigeria will trade tackles with Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, March 21, before returning to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo to lock horns with Zimbabwe four days later.

The two games are must-win fixtures for the Super Eagles, who have endured a torrid start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

 

 

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Recent Posts

“Maximum concentration” – Udinese wing-back fully focused ahead of Super Eagles fixture

Zimbabwe and Udinese wing-back, Jordan Bhekithemba Zemura, has revealed he alongside his national teammates are… Read More

1 hour ago

Watch: Xabi Alonso turns provider as Boniface sharpens shooting boots before Super Eagles duty

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface was spotted in training with Bayer Leverkusen, fine-tuning his finishing… Read More

2 hours ago

Zimbabwe head coach warns Nigeria, Benin Republic ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Zimbabwe head coach, Michael Nees, has issued a sound warning to the Super Eagles of… Read More

2 hours ago

Nigeria and Rwanda stars praise coaches Eric Chelle and Adel Amrouche pre-World Cup qualifiers

Players from Nigeria and Rwanda have heaped praise on their respective national team coaches ahead… Read More

2 hours ago

Chelle, Finidi, or Peseiro: Who should take the blame if Super Eagles misses the 2026 World Cup?

Malian tactician, Eric Chelle, has taken one of the toughest jobs as Nigeria's World Cup… Read More

5 hours ago

Up for 2 awards, favourite for one: Nigeria & Valencia star Sadiq battles Madrid’s Mbappe & Betis’ Isco

Nigeria and Valencia striker Sadiq Umar has been rewarded for his exceptional performances in March… Read More

5 hours ago