Italian Serie A side Atalanta will hold onto Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman a little longer before releasing him for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to TalkTalk Nigeria.

Lookman, who was included in Nigeria’s 55-man provisional squad released by head coach Eric Chelle, is widely expected to make the final 28-man list for the tournament in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to open camp in Cairo, Egypt on December 10, with full player arrival expected by December 11. However, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Atalanta will only let Lookman leave after their Serie A match against Cagliari on December 13.

The 28-year-old winger is considered one of Nigeria’s most influential players going into the tournament. During the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, Lookman delivered a standout performance, scoring three goals and providing an assist as Nigeria finished as runners-up.

Opinion: A Small Delay, But a Big Deal for Both Club and Country

Atalanta’s decision to keep Lookman until after their December 13 fixture isn’t surprising—when you have a player in the form and importance of Lookman, every game matters.

From the club’s perspective, losing him too early could affect their push in the league during a crucial period. Lookman has been central to their attack, and Atalanta will want his firepower for as long as possible.

For Nigeria, however, the delay is a reminder of the constant tug-of-war between club commitments and international duty. But even with the slight hold-up, this shouldn’t dampen expectations. Lookman has shown repeatedly that he can join camp late and still deliver full value when the tournament begins. His AFCON 2023 heroics—three goals in seven games—remain fresh proof of how vital he is to the Super Eagles.

The real focus now is ensuring he slots seamlessly into Chelle’s camp once he arrives. If Lookman hits Morocco in the same rhythm he’s showing in Italy, he could be Nigeria’s difference-maker once again.