Respite for Chelle as Lookman could be fit for World Cup qualifier
By Olaolu Joseph
Nigerian international and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is in contention to be included in the Super Eagles squad for their March internationals, despite currently being sidelined with a right knee injury.
Super Eagles coach Eric Sekou Chelle is expected to submit his provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda’s Wasps and Zimbabwe’s Warriors in a few days.
Given the progress of his recuperation, Lookman could be in the plans of the Franco-Malian tactician for the crucial double-header next month.
The forward had been a major doubt for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures, having been sidelined by injury for the past few weeks.
However, Italian media, including Fantamaster, report that Lookman is not in a race against time to be fit and could be available for selection in about fourteen days, which is the best-case scenario.
In the worst-case scenario, the reigning African Footballer of the Year would make his return on March 2, 2025, when Atalanta hosts Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
This means that if his rehabilitation goes according to plan, he would feature in at least three matches before reporting for international duty next month.
Lookman suffered a training-ground injury before Atalanta’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The former Everton and Fulham forward has missed the last three games for the Nerazzurri due to the injury.
Four matches into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position, sitting second from the bottom in Group C with three points—four fewer than Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin.
