Jubilation As FIFA Approves Application of Premier League Star to Switch Nationality From England to Nigeria

• Ademola Lookman is now eligible to play for the Super Eagles after he applied to FIFA to change his nationality from England to Nigeria
• He was part of the England U20 team that won the World Cup in 2017 as he also featured for the Under-17 and Under-19 teams earlier
• Lookman follows the paths of Nigerian international Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo who both earlier featured for England youth teams

Former England youth player Ademola Lookman has seen his application to switch nationality from England to Nigeria approved by the world’s football governing body, FIFA, The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old who is currently on loan at Leicester City from RB Leipzig is now eligible to play for the Super Eagles having indicated interest for some time now.

Lookman who featured for England Under-19 and Under-21 youth international was also part of the squad that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

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He could not break into the Three Lions' squad and he has now followed the paths of Nigerian international Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo who both earlier featured for England youth teams.

Lookman was born to Nigerian parents as he grew up in Peckham. Other stars who took time to swap their nationalities from England to Nigeria include Sone Aluko, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi, and Ola Aina.

How did Nigeria react?

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) chief scout Tunde Adelakun told BBC Sport Africa last November:

“We are aware of Lookman's desire to play for us and I have spoken to him as well. However, there is a process to it.

“After this process, then comes the consideration and decision of the head coach (Gernot Rohr) on whether or when he deems it fit to get him involved.”

Nigeria face a two-legged play-off against Ghana to qualify for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

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Nigeria move up in latest FIFA rankings

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up in the latest FIFA ranking for all football nations in the world as the three-time African champions are now rated 3rd best in Africa and 32nd globally.

This is an awesome development for the Super Eagles of Nigeria despite crashing out in the round of 16 at the just concluded 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Senegal who won the 2021 African Cup of Nations title are occupying the first position in Africa while Morocco find themselves second.

Ahmed Musa fires warning to Ghana with goal in Turkish Cup

Sports Brief earlier reported that Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was on the score-sheet helping Fatih Karagumruk to a 5-4 win over Konyaspor on Tuesday evening.

The Nigerian international was named in the Black Red’s starting line-up against the Anatolian Eagle, a match that ended in a nine-goal thriller after it stretched into extra time.

It was Musa’s second game since he returned to Turkey after Nigeria’s ouster at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations and he justified his inclusion.