Fulham of England winger, Ademola Lookman and Reading midfielder, Ovie Ejaria are yet to get their much-desired clearances from world soccer governing body, FIFA, to enable them switch allegiance and play for the Super Eagles.
Megasportsarena.com gathered that both former England youth internationals have expressed strong intent to change national team allegiance and star for Nigeria at senior level, but their applications have been on hold since last year.
Details of reasons behind the delayed clearance from FIFA have not been made public by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but an insider hinted that it might be due to alleged pressure being mounted by England not to allow the duo off their hook.
With Lookman in top form for Fulham this season, on loan from RB Leipzig of Germany, and Ovie looking good after an underachieving spell at Glasgow Rangers of Scotland, England’s selectors know they would lose a lot by allowing both lads switch to Nigeria.
Details of the report by SCORENigeria.com.ng have now revealed that Ejaria and Lookman are still waiting on FIFA to clear them to play for the Eagles, several months after they both opened up publicly with their intentions to don green-and-white henceforth on the senior terrain.
The report adds: “Ejaria helped England win the U20 World Cup, but has now opted to play for Nigeria, where his parents hail from. He started the process to change his international allegiance in 2020.
“Ademola was also on the England U20 World Cup-winning squad and he too now wants to play for Nigeria. He has signed a letter to switch from the Three Lions to the Super Eagles.”
