Former Super Eagles international Victor Ikpeba has challenged Ademola Lookman to step up his game after another underwhelming display in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Gabon on Thursday, SportPremi reports.
The Atalanta superstar started the game, but was hooked off in the 60th minute after struggling to help Nigeria find a breakthrough in the match.
It continued a series of uninspiring display for both club and country since the start of the 2025-26 season for the reigning African footballer of the year.
Nigeria recorded a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Gabon on Thursday to reach the final of the CAF playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face DR Congo on Sunday.
After a goalless first half, the game sparked into life in the 78th minute when Akor Adams pounced on a misplaced back and beat the Gabon goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net.
Mario Lemina equalized for the Panthers later in the game, before Victor Osimhen blasted an effort to win the game off target.
Chidera Ejuke and Osimhen (2), then scored for Nigeria in extra-time to seal the victory and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The Democratic Republic of Congo also recorded a last-gasp 1-0 win over Cameroon in the other semifinal encounter, setting up the final clash to determine Africa’s representative at the intercontinental playoffs next year.
What Ikpeba said about Lookman’s performance
While he was speaking in an interview after the match, Ex-international Victor Ikpeba raised concerns about Lookman’s display and challenged the forward to step up.
“I will like to see more from Lookman, we have not seen the Lookman of old”, Ikpeba admitted.
“We can understand, he’s short of match fitness and that form is not there yet. Recently he scored (for Atalanta).
“The likes of Chukwueze and Lookman, we need to see more from these two players”, he concluded.
Should Lookman start against DR Congo?
Ademola Lookman was Africa’s best footballer for the year 2024 and was also one of Europe’s best talents earning a top 15 finish in the 2024 ballon d’Or awards.
He has struggled to replicate that form this season showing signs of rust and inconsistency.
The winger missed preseason after his transfer saga with Atalanta in the summer, where he handed in a transfer request in a bid to leave the club
Lookman thrives mostly as a left winger or as a makeshift center forward and struggled in Eric Chelle’s 4-4-2 formation on Thursday, casting doubts over his place in the team for Sunday’s final.
However, his quality has never been in doubt, and he should be favored to start in what is Nigeria’s biggest game of the year so far.
