Nigeria Football Federation has stated Fifa is yet to complete the process of switching the international team allegiance of Leicester City's Ademola Lookman from England to Nigeria.
The Nigerian football body reacted to questions raised by fans after Lookman was not listed in the 28-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Leicester City star previously played for his country of birth, England at the U19, U20 and U21 levels, and he has now declared his intention to play for his parent country, Nigeria at the senior international level.
The switch of allegiance is in progress with Fifa and the 24-year-old was initially listed for the continental tournament that will start in Cameroon on January 6.
“The Nigeria Football Federation has stated categorically that Ademola Lookman of Leicester City FC of England has not yet been cleared by World Football body, Fifa to represent Nigeria at International level. The process for his switch is ongoing,” read a statement from NFF.
“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.
“However, his name was included in the initial provisional list with the belief that the process would have been completed before the commencement of Afcon.”
Lookman is currently on a season-long loan from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and he has scored five goals in total for Leicester City across all competitions this season.
On Tuesday, he came off the bench to score the match-winning goal that helped Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Liverpool 1-0 in a Premier League fixture.
dedeobinna
0
it's taking too long.
I pray they don't
Niscnrsyz
0
my lines up
CelestineEzekwueche
0
please is iwobi still playing for everton
Nuhcdkptuy
1
i think we're good to go
cuydiru
2
this guy is good to play for Nigeria we need him
Fakiklmosu
0
wish this would be the Nigeria Team at afcon 2022 [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
[image]
we go bad with this lineup
westloord
0
it's taking too long.
you don't know white people I am pretty sure fifa will go all the way to ask UK if the can do it
westloord
0
When did NFF start the process? Or was it just a last minute rush typical of Nigeria?
it started on October
nelson46
0
wish this would be the Nigeria Team at afcon 2022 [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
[image]
eze plays for england
jiwacdly
6
why accept him back? I recall vividly that the NFF courted this guy for long, including a visit from the NFF president but he declined the invitation and chose England over Nigeria. Now that he has no place in England team he is switching allegiance. That's bitchy
Shegz™
5
wish this would be the Nigeria Team at afcon 2022 [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Hiebcimtuz
0
When did NFF start the process? Or was it just a last minute rush typical of Nigeria?
dedeobinna
2
it's taking too long.
fizzbizzie
4
woulda been a good addition to the squad .