Nigerian chess advocate Tunde Onakoya visited Madrid and presented a custom chessboard to Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Lookman. Onakoya praised Lookman as Africa's best player after attending one of his matches. The gesture highlights the rising global influence of Nigerian talents.
Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, traveled to Madrid to fulfill a childhood dream by visiting the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the home ground of Real Madrid. He shared a pitchside photograph from the iconic venue on social media.
During his visit, Onakoya attended a match featuring Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian forward for Atletico Madrid. Lookman scored a brilliant header in Atletico Madrid's 4-2 victory over Espanyol, equaling a record previously held by Luis Suarez. Onakoya expressed pride in Lookman's performance, noting the Super Eagles star's invitation to watch the game.
As a tribute to Lookman's excellence, Onakoya gifted him a chessboard. In a social media post, Onakoya wrote: “One chessboard delivered to Africa’s best, Ademola Lookman @Alookman_.” He added, “He invited me to watch the game and scored a brilliant header. I was beaming with pride. Naija boys are up to the stars.”
The presentation underscores the growing impact of Nigerian youths on the global stage, as highlighted by Onakoya. Lookman's recent achievements include breaking records at Atletico Madrid under coach Diego Simeone, who has called for more from the player.