Fresh out of a contest with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Nigeria youngster Haruna Lukman says he is looking to improve as the Super Eagles next go up against Greece in three days time.
Lukman was tossed into the fearsome midfield affray ahead of more experienced players, but says he was not surprised.
“I was not surprised when I saw my name. I felt maybe the coach just wanted to try me because everybody was talking about me and I just knew that I had to do my best,” he told KickOffNigeria.com. “I felt happy to play against one of the best teams in the world. It was a great honour for me to play against players like Messi, Veron and so on and show what I can do.”
The rising Monaco youngster admits that it was a difficult task playing against the World Player of the Year.
“It was very very difficult playing against Messi. He puts the ball in front of you and when you try to tackle, he falls down so you just have to be careful how you mark him.”
With no point from that opening game, Lukman says the Eagles will claim all three from Greece.
“It was a little bit difficult because we played against one of the toughest sides, but the next game will be different and we have to get all three points, definitely.”
But for him, his immediate goal is to keep improving.
“I just want to do my best to make sure that the coach is happy with me all the time. I am a young player and I want to keep learning.”