Mikel Hails Lookman For Choosing Nigeria Over England

Former Nigeria skipper Mikel Obi has commended Ademola Lookman for choosing Nigeria over England for his senior international football.

While praising the Atalanta forward on ESPN for making the decision early in his career, the Chelsea legend once again took a swipe at some players born outside Nigeria for delaying the decision until they have been completely overlooked by their countries of birth in the twilight of their career.

“So, if you wait and you decline, you want to play for Germany or you want to play for England, just wait. Commit to your decision. But don’t wait until you are past your best and we become a second option,” said Mikel, who scored six goals in 91 appearances for Nigeria between 2005 and 2019 and also captained the U23 team to bronze in the Men’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

“I think Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly and saw ‘I’m going to represent my African country. I’m going to play for Nigeria’.

He is having an amazing season. He played really well in the last AFCON. What a fantastic player he has been. Fair play to him,” added Mikel, who recently expressed reservations about players making Nigeria a second option in their choice of international football.

Lookman represented England at the U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2022. He has scored eight goals in 25 outings with the Super Eagles since then.

He has been Nigeria’s best player in the last two years, making a huge impression at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where his goals helped the team to the final against the host country.