Leicester winger Ademola Lookman represented England at U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels, but switched allegiance to Nigeria in October
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said Leicester winger Ademola Lookman will not play for the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, in Cameroon despite switching allegiance to Nigeria because FIFA is yet to clear him.
The 24-year-old is qualified to represent both Nigeria and England but opted to don the jersey of the latter at U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels.
However, in October, Lookman after being ignored by The three Lions of England decided to switch allegiance to Nigeria, where his parents are from.
ALSO READ: Aubameyang leaves Arsenal for AFCON
He made the initial provisional list submitted for the AFCON by the former Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr, but he was removed by the interim manager, Eguavoen.
The non-inclusion of the former Evertonian has been criticised by pundits and fans alike, given his form in the Premier League this season.
NFF has now clarified why Lookman was omitted from the final list in a statement released on Thursday.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Football Federation has stated categorically that Ademola Lookman of Leicester City has not yet been cleared by World Football body, FIFA to represent Nigeria at International level.
It is, therefore, incorrect for any medium to claim that interim Head Coach Austin Eguavoen is the one who axed the player from Nigeria’s final list of 28 for the Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.”