Lookman’s AFCON Brilliance Sparks Praise — But Fatigue Raises Questions for Club and Country

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has shared his thoughts on Ademola Lookman’s performances during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, praising the forward’s impact while also acknowledging signs of fatigue as the tournament reached its decisive stages.

Speaking to RMC Sport’s After Foot, Chelle highlighted Lookman’s impressive influence in Nigeria’s group-stage campaign, describing the Atlético Madrid star as “exceptional” during the early phase of the competition. The winger’s movement, creativity, and attacking threat helped Nigeria maintain momentum and excite fans throughout the tournament.

However, according to Chelle, the intensity of AFCON eventually took its toll. The coach noted that Lookman’s energy levels dipped during the quarter-finals, suggesting that accumulated minutes and physical demands affected his sharpness.

“He was very good throughout the group phase… but in the quarter-finals, we felt he was tired,” Chelle explained, adding that the player remained physically fit despite visible fatigue.

Lookman’s AFCON journey came at a time of major change in his club career, as he completed a high-profile January switch from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid — a move that signals growing recognition of his quality on the European stage.

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For many Nigerian fans, Lookman’s AFCON performance showed both his brilliance and the burden placed on key players in modern football. When a forward becomes central to both club and national team ambitions, consistency becomes difficult to sustain across a packed calendar.

His early-tournament form proved he can be a difference-maker, but the late dip reminds us that even top players need careful management. Moving to Atlético Madrid, where tactical discipline and intense pressing are non-negotiable, may either elevate Lookman to another level or demand an adjustment period.

From a broader perspective, Chelle’s honesty about fatigue is refreshing. Rather than framing the quarter-final struggles as failure, it highlights the human side of elite athletes — talent alone cannot overcome exhaustion.

If Atlético Madrid can rotate him wisely and Nigeria builds a system that doesn’t rely solely on his spark, Lookman could enter the next phase of his career stronger, smarter, and even more influential. For now, his AFCON journey feels less like a setback and more like a reminder that growth often comes with visible challenges.