The Nigerian Football Federation have clarified the omission of Ademola Lookman from the Super Eagles 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad list.
A former England youth international, Lookman began the process to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria back in November. The Leicester City winger was listed in Nigeria’s initial 40-man provisional squad list by former Eagles boss Gernot Rohr.
Rohr has since been dismissed, with Augustine Eguavoen taking over in an interim role.
Lookman was left out of the final 28-man squad list released on the 25th of this month. Contrary to false narratives around the media on Lookman’s exclusion, the NFF have provided the real reason for the decision.
In a statement, the Nigerian football governing body has debunked claims the 24-years old was axed by Eguavoen. It reads:
“Ademola Lookman of Leicester City FC has not yet been cleared by the world football governing body, FIFA to represent Nigeria at international level. The process of his switch is ongoing.
“It is therefore incorrect for any medium to declare that interim head coach Augustine 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 has been in fine form for Leicester City in the Premier League this season. He has scored 3 goals, including the winner against Liverpool last time out.
