Ademola Lookman’s injury has dealt a blow to Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead of their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda.
A Persecondnews reporter on ground in Uyo spotted the Atalanta forward at the Victor Attah International Airport on Saturday at about 4:30pm, boarding a flight back to Italy.
Lookman suffered a knock during the Super Eagles’ 1-1 stalemate with Benin Republic on Thursday.
The Nigerian Football Federation official told Persecondnews that they decided to release Lookman to prevent the injury from getting worse.
“We don’t want to take any risk since we have qualified already,” the official said.
“The current regime wants to maintain a good relationship between clubs and the federation.”
Lookman’s club, Arsenal, has a crucial match against Arsenal next week, and the federation wants to ensure he is fit for the game.
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen will feel Lookman’s absence, but he has plenty of time to change his lineup.
The Super Eagles have already secured their spot in the 2025 AFCON, and this match serves as a tune-up for the tournament.
With Stanley Nwabali also excused from the squad due to a family bereavement, Eguavoen will need to make adjustments to his team.
Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie are contenders for the goalkeeper spot, while other players will step up to fill Lookman’s void.
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