Ademola Lookman Set for Super Eagles Challenge

Two days after President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed Anglo-Nigerian Leicester City striker, Ademola Lookman’s resolve to don Nigerian colours in spite of having won the U21 World Cup with England, the forward indeed proved he was ready to fight for a place in the Super Eagles crowded frontline as he scored in Leicester win over Brighton in midweek League Cup

Ademola Lookman scored Leicester City’s second goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in Wednesday’s League Cup which ended in a 2-2 draw before the Foxes won the eventual penalty shoot-out.

Adam Webster cancelled out Leicesters’ opener three minutes into added time but it did not take long for Lookman to restore the hosts’ lead at the King Power Stadium.

The Anglo-Nigerian found the back of the net two minutes after Webster’s equaliser as Leicester City go into the break ahead.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has confirmed that Leicester City forward Lookman has started the process of switching his international allegiance from England to the Super Eagles.

Pinnick revealed some of his conversations with Lookman when he visited the RB Leipzig loanee last weekend.

Lookman, born to Nigerian parents in England has played for the European country’s youth teams and he is now focused on being a part of Gernot Rohr’s squad.

“Ademola Lookman is excited about fighting for a shirt in the Super Eagles. He loves Nigeria. By His Grace, we shall conclude the switch very soon.

It has been a mixed start for Leicester City’s 2021/22 new recruits this season, however, one new signing has really shone so far for the Foxes: Ademola Lookman.

The winger has impressed and excited City fans with his dazzling displays on the right of midfield since signing for Leicester on a single season loan from RB Leipzig on deadline day in August, though a number of fans were seemingly disappointed with his signing. Perhaps this was due to the names that the rumour-mill was throwing up in the days before his signing.

But Lookman has answered any doubts that fans may have had and has done it in impressive fashion.

He was one of the best three players for Leicester in September, and for good reason.

His form for Leicester has been brilliant recently: Lookman dribbles fantastically and smartly, he takes the game to his opponent and creates space in other areas of the pitch with his runs.

Getting Lookman in on loan was a smart idea, it was a risky move and certainly a step up in challenge compared to his previous Premier League stint at Fulham, but so far, he has passed each test he has faced with flying colours.

He is clearly enjoying his football at the club. Needless to say, if Lookman continues this form for Leicester, then the Foxes will surely sign him on a permanent deal, especially as he has taken so well to all aspects of the club – not just on the pitch.

Lookman certainly isn’t the final answer for Leicester in terms of their attacking wingers, but he fixes a problem position that has been there for several seasons. He is still developing and growing as a player and will be an exceptionally useful asset for the Foxes this season and, hopefully, in many more seasons to come.

The Leicester City summer arrival opened up on his own personal experiences on racism as the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign continues.

All matches taking place between October 16 and 24 were dedicated to the campaign as fans are urged to both challenge and report discriminatory behaviour should they witness it.

League-wide sanctions introduced from the start of the current season means that anyone found guilty of racist abuse will be permanently banned from all Premier League stadiums.

Ahead of the Premier League clash against Brentford, Lookman outlined his own experiences of abuse and what more can be done in order to tackle the ongoing issue.

“I was shocked in the sense that there are people out there who actually think in that way and believe what they say. It was more online where it happened to me. I don’t think it’s right for somebody to hide behind a screen and to send all sorts of messages and get away with it. I don’t think it’s right.

“Your family will always be important to you and be supportive in situations like that. Also, the club has taken action and want to help out as well.

“I feel like the support is there but we can do a lot more.”

One thing that Lookman says is vital in the fight against racism is education, with the fight starting at a young age in a classroom.

“It’s vital. We live in a very uneducated world where unfortunately there are people who don’t understand equality. It’s sad,” he said.

“The messages that some people send online, that’s not something that they’ve just done, it’s because they’ve felt that way for a number of years and that’s due to education,” he added.

“That’s due to the fact that they’re uneducated, so if you put the right messages into classrooms for kids who can learn over time and actually learn about history and people, about different races and different backgrounds, then of course that will help a lot,” he noted.