By Kayode John
Former Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi has hailed Ademola Lookman for his decision to switch his allegiance to Nigeria early.
FIFA approved Lookman’s application to represent Nigeria in 2022, after playing for England’s U-19s, U-20s and U-21s respectively.
He made his debut for the Super Eagles in March 2022, in the World Cup playoffs against the Black Stars of Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
“Players have to wait for a while before they decide to represent their African roots. I genuinely don’t think it should be that way,” Mikel said on beIN Sports in the UEFA Champions League analysis on Thursday night.
“You have to decide, you have to make the decision where you want to play for.
“If you decide from your gut you want to play for England, you want to play for France or Germany, you have to wait. And if you don’t get a call up, then you didn’t get a call up. That was your decision. But don’t wait until you are 29 or 30 years old and you’ve passed your best, now you want to represent Nigeria or Cameroon or Ghana.
“It’s already late. We also want the best players to represent us, to play in Africa, to play at the Africa Cup of Nations. Don’t wait until you’ve passed your best and we become the second option. I think that is not right.”
The former Chelsea star, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013, was apparently having a fresh dig at Shola Ameobi, who switched allegiance to Nigeria late on his career and played at the 2014 World Cup for the Super Eagles.
He added: “I think Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly and say ‘you know what?’ I’m going to represent my African country, I’m going to play for Nigeria.’ And he is having an amazing season. Played really well in the last African Cup of Nations and what a fantastic player he’s been.”
Asked by the anchor if Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, ever got a call up to play for Nigeria, the former Super Eagles captain said: He did. I think he did as well. But obviously, Saka is Saka. He is an amazing footballer and of course, he’s made the right decision of wanting to play for England and now, he is one of the players in the team sheet. Fair play to him.”
