'No hattrick?' - Calvin Bassey ribs Eagles mate Ademola Lookman after Napoli double

Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman exchange on Instagram.

'No hattrick?' - Calvin Bassey ribs Eagles mate Ademola Lookman after Napoli double

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 13:42 - 04.11.2024

Calvin Bassey found a funny side to his Super Eagles mate Ademola Lookman's brace against Napoli.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey found a humorous angle to celebrate his Super Eagles teammate Ademola Lookman’s impressive performance against SSC Napoli, where he scored two goals to lead Atalanta to a 3-0 victory.

Following the match, Bassey took to social media to tease Lookman about his missed opportunity for a hat-trick on Sunday.

Lookman’s standout display at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium not only helped end Napoli's unbeaten streak but also fired his side to the top four.

He opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the match with a deft flick from a Charles De Ketelaere assist, and doubled Atalanta's lead in the 31st minute with a powerful shot from outside the box before Mateo Retegui sealed the win with a late goal in stoppage time.

Ademola Lookman celebrates his goal against Napoli.

After the match, Lookman who was named man of the match shared a post on Instagram captioned “Happy Sunday from Naples,” celebrating his heroics. Bassey, who plays for Fulham, couldn’t resist commenting, “Didn’t want a hat-trick?”

This playful jab highlights the unity between the two players as they represent Nigeria together on the international stage.

Calvin Bassey (left) and Ademola Lookman (middle) in the Super Eagles.
Calvin Bassey (left) and Ademola Lookman (middle) in the Super Eagles.

With this brace, Lookman has now scored six goals and provided five assists in just 11 matches this season, solidifying his status as one of Serie A's top performers.

His contributions have not only been crucial for Atalanta but have also placed him in contention for individual accolades, including recognition as one of Africa’s best players.

Ademola Lookman scored two goals for Atalanta against Napoli. || Imago

Lookman’s performance against Napoli further cements his reputation as a key player for Atalanta and enhances his prospects for future honors, especially after his 14th position in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.

As Atalanta climb to third place in Serie A with this victory, Lookman’s form will be pivotal as they aim to challenge for the league title this season.

The playful banter between Bassey and Lookman reflects the strong bond among Super Eagles players, who continue to support each other both on and off the pitch.