Huge boost for Eguavoen ahead of Ghana clash as FIFA clears ex-England U20 star for Nigeria

The 56-year-old will be able to call on a new player when the three-time African kings take on their West African rivals in their World Cup playoffs next month

Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has received a huge boost ahead of Nigeria’s games against Ghana in March after FIFA granted Leicester City attacker Ademola Lookman the approval to play for the Super Eagles.

Lookman has been in the process of switching international allegiance for a while, but he has had to wait for FIFA’s approval.

And according to Rob Harris, the world football governing body has now cleared the 24-year-old to play for Nigeria.

Lookman was born in England, but he is eligible to play for the three-time African champions through his parents.

The Foxes forward played for the Three Lions youth teams and won the U20 World Cup with the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Solanke in 2017.

However, he is yet to play for the England senior team, which enables him to represent Nigeria at the international level.

There had been initial reports that Lookman had completed his switch and was included in the 40-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick denied the reports.

Nonetheless, after months of waiting, the Leicester City winger is now available for selection. His availability is a massive boost for Eguavoen, who could now hand a callup to the attacker for Nigeria’s World Cup playoff games in March.

Lookman is currently on loan at Leicester City from RB Leipzig. The former Everton star has scored five goals and registered three assists in 22 games for the Foxes this season.