Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said he hopes Nigeria’s Super Eagles don’t go far at next year’s AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

Gasperini stated this as star forward Ademola Lookman get set to join his Super Eagles teammates in United Arab Emirates for camping ahead of the tournament.

On Saturday, December 30, Lookman marked his departure by netting the only goal in Atalanta’s 1-0 win against Lecce.

His 58th minute strike was enough to earn Atalanta all three points and a return to winning ways after their 1-0 defeat at Bologna on December 23.

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It is his seventh goal in 18 appearances in Serie A this season.

“Unfortunately Lookman will fly out tomorrow, but we have Muriel, Scamacca, De Ketelaere, Miranchuk and Toure. It will be an opportunity for them,” Gasperini told DAZN via Football Italia.

“I don’t want to act like I’m wishing Nigeria don’t do well, but naturally we hope Lookman isn’t away for too long. Above all, we hope he doesn’t get injured.”

Lookman was named in Jose Peseiro’s final 25-man squad for next year’s AFCON.