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By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has stated that Leicester City of England player, Ademola Lookman has not been cleared by world football governing body FIFA to play for Nigeria, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Reports emerged in June that FIFA had cleared Ademola Lookman and Ovie Ejaria to play for the Super Eagles

NFF in a statement on Thursday said that Lookman’s switch to play for the three-time Africa champions is in progress

“The Nigeria Football Federation has stated categorically that Ademola Lookman of Leicester City FC OF England has not yet been cleared by World Football body, FIFA to represent Nigeria at International level. The process for his switch is ongoing,” NFF said

The Federation made the clarification following report that interim Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen axed the 24 years old from the 28-mam squad for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

“It is therefore incorrect for any medium to claim that interim Head Coach @austineguavoen is the one who axed the player from Nigeria’s final list of 28 for the Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.

“However, his name was included in the initial provisional list with the believe that the process would have been completed before the commencement of Afcon.”

Ademola Lookman, born in England by Nigerian parents have rejected call-ups by the former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr on three different occasions

In early 2017, Lookman turned down the opportunity to switch allegiance to Nigeria after an approach from the then national coach, Gernot Rohr.

Again, Lookman turned down Nigeria again in early 2018 after meeting with the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick. He subsequently rejected Nigeria’s approaches for a third time in September 2018, after England senior manager Gareth Southgate convinced him that he was part of his plans.

Despite his caps and success for England at youth level, in January 2020 the Nigeria Football Federation announced that Lookman would be switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.

However, Lookman also stated: “I’ve not changed my mind on wanting to represent England”.