Them never love, never love, never love poor Marcus Them never love him, oh no
Them never love, never love, never love poor Marcus ‘Til they betray him.

This is the chorus of the song ‘Them Never Love Poor Marcus’ by a Jamaican reggae group, the Mighty Diamonds which was a hit in the 70s.

In the case of Atalanta football club of Italy, where African Footballer of the Year and Super Eagles reliable forward, Ademola Lookman plies his football trade, the fans never betrayed him but love him and stood by him.

This was after their coach, Gasperini poured invectives on him for missing a penalty in their Champions League match against Club Brugge during the week.

In a show of solidarity, the fans placed a banner at the team’s training ground that read: “Thanks Lookman, do not be afraid to take penalty”.

If Lookman was angry with his coach, which indeed he did by saying that his attack on him was “deeply disrespectful”, the reaction of the fans will calm his nerves by now.

Weight was even added to Lookman’s stance by no less a person than Italian legend, Alexander del Piero who condemned the coach stressing that, “The mistake like the one on the penalty kick is human.”

Even the continent’s football body which crowned Lookman its player of the year a few months ago jumped into the fray, like telling Gasperini to open his eyes and see the player’s worth.

CAF reacted through its official X handle to show a highlight of Lookman’s performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and added this: “If you still can’t see it just Look, man!”.

What other way to slam the coach who seems to be under pressure to perform after Lookman gave him his first silverware in European football. CAF did very well.

Trust Nigerian fans. They took the solidarity further by hitting at Gasperini on social media platforms, some of which I will publish here.

Some advised Lookman to avoid what happened to his compatriot, Victor Osimhen in Napoli by leaving Atalanta at the end of the season.

Ebun Sola wrote: The Coach forgot that during the first half, they couldn’t score a goal and they had conceded three goals. But the moment the African footballer of the year came in, he scored a goal. Not only that, he tormented the opponent’s defence. So missing a penalty shouldn’t warrant the cutting of his head. Many big players even missed penalty in champions league final and nothing happened. The Coach must apologize to him.”

Iyitor David Temi prayed for Lookman thus: “When he won games, scored goals, won Trophy, he wasn’t a bad player, but because he missed a penalty, yes in a major match, they totally forgot everything he did for them and labelled him what is not. May God grant Ademola peace to survive this trying time.”

According to Osita Dozie, “it was a match already lost….. even if he had scored the penalty, they would still be headed home. Gasperini is just a frustrated coach. Scapegoating Lookman for the penalty miss just showed his mindset towards the guy. Be strong brother, don’t let this racist get at you…keep on shinning bright…he’s the loser…not you.”

Asana Abiodun wrote, “for me, I don’t see anything bad in missing a penalty, Messi missed it against Chelsea in 2012 and nobody blamed him for the miss. So many big players have missed this same penalty which is supposed to make their team progress, let (Lookman ) leave Italy for his career’s sake.”

Peter Utase’s reaction came in the form of a warning – “Ademola Lookman, this is a sign, unfortunately it came in a disgusting manner that you’re now bigger than Atalanta. Better leave now, you may not leave to your favourite team but to any good team. And (if you) keep on doing what you know how to do best then your favourite team will come for you. Age is still on your side to go places and play great football with better teams bro.”

Michael Idum: “Gasperini’s comment on Ademola Lookman after missing a penalty is unfortunate and disgusting. The coach has made one of the best players in his team into a scape goat. Even the best players in the world also miss penalties.”

Twar Moses Twar took a swipe on the entire Serie A, stressing that, “this is how they behave in the Italian league, when you commit an error, they will forget the good things you have done, the same thing happened to Victor Osimhen.”

Not aware that CAF had already reacted in defence of Lookman, John Okhiai wrote, “Such is life, it’s a challenge, please you should not let it wear you down. It’s a big blow on Africa that the best player is the worst penalty taker. Let CAF wake up”.

Among the lot, only Whyte Okere called for sanctions on Gasperini in his post: “The insult on Ademola Lookman is disrespectful and uncalled for. The coach is an ungrateful fellow, in fact he shouldn’t go unpunished for this is an insult to Africans and the continent.”

Adewole Folarin hit the coach the hardest writing, “Gasperini should cover his face in shame for blaming Lookman for the club’s defeat, a club that was already 3 goals down in the first half….what were the other players looking at or doing by conceding 3 goals in 45 minutes? And he is blaming a second half substitute who scored 36 seconds after coming on just because he missed a penalty?”