The former midfielder for Chelsea, John Mikel Obi, has commended Ademola Lookman for selecting Nigeria over England during his peak. Lookman, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, competed for the continent in youth competitions and was a member of the England team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017.
In February 2022, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) granted his desire to play for Nigeria. Lookman is the front-runner to earn CAF African Player of the Year after helping Atalanta win the UEFA Europa League championship the previous season.
Mikel thinks that players should make their choices when it’s appropriate, rather than waiting until they’re twenty, twenty-eight, or past their prime. Lookman played well last season and was a wonderful player, therefore he made the proper option to switch swiftly to represent Nigeria.
“Players have to wait for a while before they decide they want to represent their African root. I genuinely think it shouldn’t be that way,”
“If you have decided where you want to play. If you decide you want to play for England, France or Germany, you have to wait, if you don’t get called up that’s your decision.
“If you are 20-year-old, make your decision, don’t wait until you are 26, 28. Don’t wait until you are past your best and we become a second option.
“I think Ademola Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly to represent Nigeria, and he’s done really well. He played well last season and he’s such a fantastic player” Mikel made this statement on BeIN Sports.
