Ademola Lookman is poised to light up Saturday night’s Copa del Rey final, as Atletico Madrid face Real Sociedad, with the Nigerian winger hoping to etch his name into history.
At 28, Lookman could become only the third Nigerian to feature in the final of Spain’s domestic cup—29 years after Nigerian greats George Finidi and Emmanuel Amuneke went head-to-head in the 1997 showpiece, representing Real Betis and Barcelona respectively.
Both players, who dominated Nigeria’s wings during their prime, delivered memorable performances in a pulsating encounter that Barcelona eventually won 3–2 after extra time.
Amuneke began the match on the bench, while Finidi—fresh from his UEFA Champions League triumph with Ajax in 1995—started on the right wing for Betis and proved a constant threat to the Catalan side.
Alfonso Perez handed Betis an early lead, but Portugal legend Luis Figo equalised on the stroke of half-time. The contest intensified late on, with both Finidi and Amuneke coming to the fore.
Finidi restored Betis’ advantage in the 82nd minute with a low drive into the near post, seemingly sealing victory. However, Barcelona responded just three minutes later through Antonio Pizzi, who headed home the equaliser.
Finidi nearly won it in regulation time, creating a gilt-edged chance that a teammate failed to convert. That miss proved costly, as Amuneke played a decisive role moments later. The former Sporting Lisbon winger reacted quickest to a loose ball, unleashing a fierce shot that was parried into the path of Figo, who tapped home from close range to secure the win.
Barcelona’s victory saw them equal Athletic Bilbao’s then-record tally of 23 Copa del Rey titles and complete a treble-winning season, which also included the Spanish Super Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Finidi made history as the first Nigerian to score in a Copa del Rey final, while Amuneke became the first Nigerian to lift the prestigious trophy.