FULHAM winger Ademola Lookman has expressed frustration at how long it is taking world football federation Fifa to effect his switch from England to Nigeria as it is delaying his plans to feature for the Super Eagles in the African Nations Cup qualifiers.
On November 13, the Eagles will face the Leone Stars in Benin City in a 2021 Nations Cup qualifier and four days later will fly to Freetown for the return leg. Head coach Gernot Rohr has invited 24 players for both games but Lookman has not been included in his squad because he is still awaiting approval of his application of a switch from Fifa.
Lookman, 22, joined Fulham on a season long loan from German side Leipzig on deadline day and has been sensational for the club so far. Back in 2017, Lookman was a key part of an England Under-20 team which won the U20 World Cup but has since applied to Fifa to switch his allegiance to Nigeria and is waiting for approval to enable him feature for the Super Eagles.
In January this year, the Nigerian Football Federation reported that Lookman applied to Fifa for a switch of nationality that will enable him to play for the Super Eagles during the World Cup qualifiers. Since then, however, nothing has been heard of his application, while players who have made such requests after him like Kevin Akpoguma of Hoffenheim have got approval from Fifa and featured for Nigeria.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Lookman, who signed a five year deal with Leipzig in July 2019, is eligible for the national teams of both Nigeria and England. However, the player has expressed an indication to play for Nigeria where he will play alongside Fulham team mates Ola Aina and Tosin Adarabioyo, who is believed to have also made a switch to Nigeria from England.
