Ahead of Nigeria’s opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 against Tanzania tomorrow in Fes, the Super Eagles’ duo of Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Pisa midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro have been listed among the top five Serie A layers to hit the limelight at the continental showpiece.
Of all the leagues most affected by the month-long continental tournament, Serie A is tied sixth, with a total of 21 players heading south-west from Italy to North Africa.
But according to a major Italian news outlet, both the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, Lookman and newly drafted Akinsanmiro, are just five “of the best that could play a promising role at 2025’s showpiece”.
Aside the two Nigerians, the other three players also picked are AS Roma’s duo of Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui and Ivorian Evan Ndicka, while who plays for Roma as well as Ivorian Odilon Kossounou who is currently with Lookman at Atalanta.
Akinsanmiro, the 21-year-old Inter loanee is being tipped as “a valuable reinjection of confidence” into the Super Eagles who are desirous to claim a long-awaited fourth title following three previous successes in 1980, 19994 and 2013.
But of the quintent, Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, is put on top of the raft as the likely player from Serie A that could have a pivotal impact at the continental’s flagship’s tournament.
“Just about taking the top spot in this list is Atalanta and Nigeria star Ademola Lookman,” the editors of getfootballnewsitaly noted.
Though Lookman has struggled so far in 2025-26, with just two goals in 11 Serie A outings in the ongoing campaign, the outlet noted: “He could play a huge role as he links back up with Super Eagles teammates Osimhen and co, as they seek retribution for 2023’s 2-1 final defeat in Abidjan.”
“The English-born 28-year-old notched 20 goals in 40 all-competition matches in 2024-25, including 15 goals in Serie A, and five in seven Champions League matches. That premier European campaign, of course, followed the victorious Europa League run in 2023-24.
“If Lookman can tap back into the kind of form that saw him blast home a decisive hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin’s final, then Nigeria may just add their fourth AFCON title,” the Italian outfit noted.
