Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has allegedly failed in his attempt to persuade Everton’s rising star Ademola Lookman to commit his international allegiance to Nigeria.
The 19-year-old London-born forward, who joined the Toffees from Charlton Athletic in a deal reportedly worth £11m in January, has represented England’s Under-19s and Under-20s.
But Lookman, who announced himself at Everton with a scintillating goal with his second touch in the 4-0 pounding of Manchester City at Goodison Park on January 15, is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents.
The Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director Bitrus Bewarang confirmed in January that the NFF was interested in the youngster.
“He has Nigerian parents and we’d need to speak to him first,” BBC Sport quoted Bewarang as saying.
“I saw him against Manchester City and I was excited to see a young player of Nigerian descent shine, so I thought: ‘Why not?’”
He added, “We’ve managed to get players like Moses and Iwobi in the past and Lookman will be a great addition to the national team if we got him.”
Our correspondent learnt that Rohr discussed with the player through his representative in England recently but could not convince him to commit his international allegiance to Nigeria.
Rohr’s discussion with Lookman came after the Daily Mirror reported that the player’s representatives met with some NFF officials in London.
SOURCE: http://punchng.com/rohr-fails-as-england-battles-to-keep-lookman/
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