Izuchukwu Okosi
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has expressed his elation to represent Nigeria after the world football ruling body, FIFA, granted his application to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria.
The 24-year-old who was part of England’s U-20 FIFA World Cup winning team in 2017 on Monday suggested that the fact that his parents are full blooded Nigerians played a part in his decision to dump England at the senior level.
Lookman made his debut for the Super Eagles against the Black Stars of Ghana in a 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff last Friday in Kumasi, after he replaced Moses Simon in the 74th minute during the encounter.
“I am very excited to be part of Nigeria’s National team and I’m feeling blessed and looking forward to helping the team,” Lookman told CAFOnline.com.
“Both my parents are Nigerians and I’ve always seen these [representing Nigeria] as a possibility. I came to Nigeria, frequently when I was much younger.
“I am familiar with the people and built up a family here, so the switch from England to Nigeria is not an unusual one for me. I am glad I made the switch.”
And after making his debut for Nigeria on Friday, Lookman took to Twitter to express his joy, “Extremely proud and grateful to have made my @NGSuperEagles debut.
“Thank you God for the opportunity, it means everything to put on the shirt and represent my country. See you on Tuesday. We need your support.”
Lookman could be in line to make his first start for Nigeria as regular starter in his position Samuel Chukwueze is currently nursing a hamstring injury sustained in the goalless draw against Ghana last Friday.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
Follow Us