Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, on Sunday, stressed that the Super Eagles are eager to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco following the disappointing loss against Ivory Coast in the final of the last tournament.

Speaking to Peoples Gazette following the team’s training session in Fes ahead of Nigeria’s opening game against Tanzania on Tuesday, Lookman said the Eagles wanted to win Ivory Coast in 2024 but, unfortunately, fell short.

However, he said the team still retains the passion from the tournament, and the players are ready to maintain that desire to lift the trophy in Morocco, after Nigeria last won it in South Africa in 2013.

“We were ready to win in Ivory Coast, but unfortunately, we didn’t win,” he told The Gazette. “However, we still have the same desire to be great. Nothing has changed from then, and this time around, there is actually the hunger and desire for us to go the whole way.”

Commenting on the mood in the camp ahead of the opener, the former African footballer of the year said the squad was happy to be in Morocco for the AFCON.

He added that the team was looking forward to Tuesday’s game against Tanzania. 

“We are all excited to be here, and we are looking forward to the game on Tuesday. We are all ready to perform well for our nation and put in the right steps as a team together as we keep going forward,” said Lookman.