Lukman, the striker for the Nigerian national football team, has risen to the top of the goal scorers’ list in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire after his competitors exited the tournament.
Currently, Lukman holds the third position in the goal scorers’ rankings with 3 goals, trailing behind Egypt’s Mostafa Mohamed and Angola’s Gelson Dala by just one goal, and two goals behind Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, the tournament’s leading scorer.
However, the Nigerian forward’s chances of increasing his goal tally are higher than his counterparts who have been eliminated from the tournament.
Lukman hopes to continue his successful run during the knockout stages as he leads his country’s attack against South Africa in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Lukman showcased his prowess by scoring two goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the round of 16 and the winning goal against Angola in the quarter-finals with a score of 1-0.
Despite originally planning to represent the English national team, where he excelled in the under-19, under-20, and under-21 categories, Lukman ultimately chose to play for Nigeria starting from March 2022.
Born to Nigerian parents in Wandsworth, South London, Lukman spent his childhood in Britain, honing his football skills at the Wetherley Academy.
He then progressed to the youth team of Charlton Athletic before joining the first team in 2015.
He later moved to RB Leipzig in Germany, then returned to England with Fulham before joining Leicester City.
Finally, he officially transferred to Atalanta in Italy in 2022, where he found fame and success.
Lukman’s journey from England to Italy has been marked by determination and talent, and now, as he leads Nigeria’s charge in the Africa Cup of Nations, he dreams of bringing glory to his nation on the international stage.
