Lookman’s barren streak continues as ex-Arsenal star Akpom makes history

Chuba Akpom is up against Amad for the Championship award.

SUPER EAGLES Lookman’s barren streak continues as ex-Arsenal star Akpom makes history

Joba Ogunwale 20:25 - 04.03.2023

The two Nigerians had contrasting fortunes in their matches for their respective clubs on Saturday.

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman’s struggles in front of goal continued as Atalanta played out a barren draw against Udinese in their Serie A clash at Gewiss Stadium. 

Lookman has been a fantastic signing for La Dea this season after joining them from RB Leipzig for €9.20m last summer. 

Lookman's barren run continues

Before the game against Udinese, The Nigeria international had 12 goals and five assists in 23 league games for Atalanta. 

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However, after firing blanks against Udinese, Lookman has now gone four matches without a goal. 

It was not for lack of trying, though, as Loookman had two shots on target but was denied twice by Marco Silvestri in Udinese’s goal. 

Ademola Lookman has not scored for Atalanta since February 11

Despite his best efforts to get a goal, Lookman was taken off in the 63rd minute for Luis Muriel. Meanwhile, his Super Eagles teammate Isaac Success featured for Udinese, but he also fired blanks before he was replaced in the 65th minute. 

Chuba Akpom makes history 

While both Lookman and Success fired blanks, Nigeria hopeful Chuba Akpom did not have that problem after scoring a brace in Middlesbrough’s 5-0 thrashing of Reading. 

Akpom put Boro ahead from the penalty spot before Aaron Ramsey made it two on the stroke of half-time. 

Akpom scored his second and Boro’s third three minutes after the break before Ramsey’s second and Marcus Forss sealed a 5-0 win over for the home side. 

However, the headline was all about Akpom, who became the first Middlesbrough player to score 20 league goals in a single season since Bernie Slaven in 1989/90. 

Not only that, but the former Arsenal star also became the first Boro player to score 14 league goals at home since Fabrizio Ravanelli in 1996-1997. 

Akpom now has 21 goals in 28 games, a form that should lead to his first international call-up when Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro names his squad later this month. 

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