Lookman to face Boniface as Atalanta, Leverkusen qualify for Europa League final

The Super Eagles duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface will square off in the final of the 2023/24 Europa League following the qualification of their respective clubs, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman scored the first goal as Atalanta defeated Olympic Marseille 3-0 to seal their passage with a 4-1 aggregate win over the French club.

Boniface was an unused substitute in Leverkusen’s 4-2 aggregate victory over Roma. The German side recovered from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw in the second leg, netting the leveler in the 97th-minute.

The Xabi Alonso-led team also remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, with their 49-match run breaking the record held by Benfica since 1965.

Lookman, who starred for the Super Eagles at the African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023, in Cote d’Ivoire, set Gian Piero Gasperini’s side on the way to victory when his deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area found the bottom far corner in the 30th minute. The 26-year-old also provided the assist for Matteo Ruggeri to double the Bergamo club’s advantage.

Atalanta, one of two Italian Serie A sides still in European competitions, will be featuring in their first-ever European competition final. Leverkusen, on the other hand, are in a continental final for the third time and first in 22 years.

Lookman and Boniface are expected to have a starting role when their teams square off for the Europa League trophy on May 22 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.