AFCON 2025: Atalanta Coach Regrets Losing Lookman to National Duty

Story: Written by Daniel December 8,2025

Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has voiced his concern as star forward Ademola Lookman prepares to leave for international duty with Nigeria ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Lookman is expected to be included in the Super Eagles’ AFCON squad this week and will officially join the national team camp next Monday.
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The winger, who previously won Africa’s top individual football award, could be away for up to a month if Nigeria reaches the tournament’s final stage.
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Atalanta will also be without defender Odilon Kossounou, who is set to represent Côte d’Ivoire at the continental showpiece.
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Palladino admitted that losing both players at once is a major blow to his squad.
“We’re missing two key players—Lookman and Kossounou—strong, influential, and decisive,” he told journalists. “But we’re also getting Kolasinac and Scalvini back, and they are just as crucial for us.”