AFCON ’94 Winner Backs Lookman For Napoli Or Juve Success

Former Super Eagles defender Uche Okechukwu has backed Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman to thrive at either Napoli or Juventus if he secures a move to one of the Italian giants this summer, according to Soccernet.ng.

The 2024 CAF Player of the Year has recently piqued the interest of Atalanta’s Serie A rivals following his outstanding performance for the club since his arrival from RB Leipzig.

While there has not been any comment from the Bergamo-based club and the player’s camp, many are starting to anticipate the hot summer swoop for the Nigerian—particularly Napoli, who recently emerged as the Serie A champions for the 2024-25 season.

In an exclusive interview with Africafoot, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner insists that the Nigerian international has what it takes to succeed at the highest level in Serie A.

“I don’t want to be definitive, because for now, we only have information from the media and tabloids,” Okechukwu said. “But if he were to join Napoli or Juventus, I’m convinced he would still shine thanks to the nature of football there. He’s a top-level striker, and it’s no coincidence that he’s been linked with the best teams in Europe.”

The 27-year-old forward capped off his impressive campaign with a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he single-handedly helped the Italian side win their first-ever European title.

Meanwhile, Okechukwu, who played for Turkish giants Fenerbahce and featured prominently for Nigeria in the 1990s, touched on why Lookman is a perfect fit for Italian football.

“Football in Italy is tactical and demanding, but players like Lookman – who can read the game and exploit spaces – often flourish there,” he added.

As transfer speculations continue to swirl, Lookman remains focused on national team duties, hoping to add another chapter to his growing legacy with the Super Eagles.