After goal against Marseille, Lookman emulates Nigerian trio who played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Monaco 

Ademola Lookman was the star of the show as he scored and assisted to help Atalanta seal their spot in the final of a European competition for the first time in their history on Thursday night. 

The Nigerian found the bottom corner via a deflection to open the scoring in the 30th minute before providing the assist for Atalanta's second goal netted by  Ruggeri, who smashed the ball home from inside the area to double the advantage at minute 52. 

By scoring in the semifinals second leg of the Europa League clash against Marseille, Lookman followed in the footsteps of former Super Eagles forwards Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba and Victor Moses who all achieved the feat before him.

Wearing the colours of Arsenal, two-time African Footballer of the Year, Kanu scored the match-winning goal for Arsenal in a  2-1 win over Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in April 2000, after coming off the bench. 

Another former African Footballer of the Year, Ikpeba also found the net in the last four, second leg of the UEFA Cup, the forerunner of the Europa League, as Monaco defeated Inter Milan 1-0 at Stade Louis-II.

Although he was an unused substitute in the 2013 Europa League showpiece between Chelsea and Benfica, Victor Moses played a key role as the Blues advanced to the final, netting in four consecutive matches. 

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner scored in the 52nd minute as the Blues defeated a Basel team containing Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny in a second leg, semifinal tie at Stamford Bridge.

Lookman's Atalanta will do battle with Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface's Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the Europa League on May 22 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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