2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifications: It’s time for Lookman to rein in his emotions

“Lookman is a celebrated and positive aggressive factor in the Super Eagles’ attacking horizon.”

Generally unruffled but at certain times sensitive, Ademola Lookman has been caught in difficult positions on the field as a result of a recurrent inability to show supremacy over his temper during difficult moments in a game. A torn in the flesh of many opponents, defenders know that they can stop him in a number of ways, including turning to the referee for caution and exit cards if they find him too quick to catch and annoyingly skillful. Lookman’s burst of speed is an asset that he carries to the field, but his temper can sometimes be his burden and agent of ruination, threatening to cost him a place at important tables of victories and celebrations. Some players now feel they can get Lookman out of games through off-ball situations, a tactic that has been tested to some degree of success. 

For instance, Lookman was in splendid form on October 10 while playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game away to Lesotho. But he was also irritable on occasions. Eventually, he gave himself up to provocations from opposing players when Nigeria needed all the calm in him to win the game. Nevertheless, Lookman has displayed remarkable ice-cool composure on a number of occasions, his temper ultimately contributing to success for club and country. But in the game against Lesotho, Lookman was a moving tinderbox, a red card disaster waiting to happen. 

Failure to qualify loomed on the horizon as South Africa and Benin Republic were both in close and hot pursuit of Nigeria. The game against Lesotho was a litmus test for Lookman’s deep well of gentle water currents. Again, it was a critical assessment of his celebrated ability to collect and control himself under some of the most difficult playing conditions as exemplified in his inspiring behavior at Atalanta despite difficult instances and “poor treatment” from the club.

Under close scrutiny and relentless baiting from opposing defenders, Lookman snapped like a dried twig, gave way, and was booked in the 64th minute of the tensed game. He already had a yellow card in the qualifying series and ought to have known that he was living dangerously on the edge of tragedy. Certainly, Lookman is a celebrated and positive aggressive factor in the Super Eagles’ attacking horizon. He gave his all to the team and desperately wanted the Super Eagles to triumph over Lesotho. Surely, his overall efforts were seen and appreciated by fans. 

But his aggressive moods in the game showed that he had forgotten about how close he was to exiting the World Cup party should the team lose a player to the referee’s red card. Several other players were throwing in high tackles here and there, goading one another to fall on the referee’s wrong side, but Lookman’s case seemed glaring. He risked getting a red card. The coach left him on the pitch for another seven minutes, which was quite some time for him to gather himself together. But it appeared he would not get it right on the night. 

Coach Eric Chelle had to take him out of the game in the 71st minute when it became increasingly clear that the opponent had targeted him for destruction. In hindsight, several football analysts agreed that it was a good thing Coach Chelle did. In the end, that crucial decision saved the day for the team and Nigeria, raising high hopes for World Cup qualification through playoffs scheduled for November in Morocco.

Expectedly, Lookman missed the next match, sitting in the stands, giving the needed moral, and psychological support to the team. As expected, he was tensed throughout the game because it was a crucial qualifier, a make or mar tie for the country. In the end, Nigeria spanked Benin Republic by 4-0. Lookman and all football fans heaved a sigh of relief. 

Like all great characters, Lookman is inherently flawed, shaped and defined by strengths and weaknesses. Upon reflection, it is possible to read Lookman’s great flaw as an asset to his team because by focusing on Lookman and trying to provoke him to tantrums, the opponent leaves room for other strikers to operate uninhibited. 

In any case, Lookman’s predisposition to succumbing to provocations should not be considered such a grave and irredeemable feature of his personality. Surely, very few players have had glowing professional football careers devoid of yellow cards or reds. One has in mind England’s legendary striker, Gary Lineker. The English man was a torn in the flesh of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a quarterfinal match at the Italia 1990 World Cup. Lineker converted two penalties that greatly helped in sending the Cameroonians out of the tournament. The English striker achieved something remarkable as he was able to retire from football without earning a booking despite suffering innumerable provocations in the hands of ruthless defenders. 

At Italia 1990, he simply picked himself up each time he was cut down by ruthless Cameroonian defenders, leaving the referee to do the other part of the job for him and his country. He didn’t play into the waiting hands of his opponents. This is the part that Lookman has to learn and perfect, especially during high tension games where trickery becomes a crucial part of winning tactics. 

Provocations can win games where skills are not enough to bring victories. There are coaches and players who are adept at triggering self-destructions in players and clubs. A player of Lookman’s wealth of international experience ought to know deeper and better. He should be able to tell when he begins to approach his breaking point, that crucial moment when the dam is certain to overflow to destructive consequences. We cannot afford to lose Lookman in the current attacking regiment of the Super Eagles. He is an asset of tremendous value and a scare of defenders.

The 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman must strap in his moods, especially when hunting for saving graces for club and country, otherwise, devious defenders and coaches will end up singling him out for attacks and provocations, certain that he will break under intense pressure. His exit will end up limiting his side’s attacking options while giving the advantage to the opponent. To take Lookman out of any attack would have a great and debilitating effect on the side that he is on. Nigeria cannot afford this, neither can his current club side. Going forward, Ademola Lookman just has to be extra careful. Now is the time for him to keep his emotions tightly reined in.