Odegbami hails Lookman, supports ex-Super Eagles players as coaches

Former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, has praised Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, after he was voted the Best African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for 2024.

The former 3SC player said that Nigeria having players who won the award consecutively (Osimhen won the 2023 edition) shows that our players are top-notch.

Ademola Lookman won the award following his heroics, especially during the final of the Europa League, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, with compatriot Victor Boniface also involved. Recently, Lookman scored against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League during a 2-3 loss to the Galacticos.

Odegbami, the 1980 AFCON-winning Eagles player, said that the present Super Eagles have brought the pride of yesteryears back to the nation. He believes it is better for the authorities to allow ex-players, who are now in football management and coaching, to handle the team, providing them with all the needed support.

The former Eagles captain said that ex-players of the national team who have managerial abilities should be allowed to lead the team and given the necessary support. He explained that as a nation, we should develop our own content, as that is the way to go.
He said, “It is great that Ademola won the African Best Player, and before him, Osimhen won it. This is telling us that the nation has got the talent.

“Look at countries that have won the World Cup; many of the coaches are nationals of their countries, and that is why I would always say that our ex-players who are coaches should be given the opportunity and encouragement.

“I believe that with the necessary support and encouragement, the Super Eagles can qualify and do well at international tournaments because we have the players to do the job.

“Again, congratulations to Ademola and to Nigerians. We need more of these kinds of efforts from our players in the future.”