Good news for Eric Chelle: African POTY Lookman not in a race against time to be fit for WCQ

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is in contention to be included in the Super Eagles squad for their March internationals even though he is currently sidelined with a right knee injury, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

New Nigeria boss Eric Chelle is getting ready to submit his provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda's Wasps and Zimbabwe's Warriors.

Lookman should be in the plans of the Franco-Malian football tactician for the double header, as things stand.

According to reports in the Italian media, including Fantamaster, 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 be involved in at least three matches before reporting for international duty next month.

Lookman suffered a training ground injury before Atalanta's Champions League meeting with Barcelona.

The former Everton and Fulham man has not been called up for the last three games contested by the Nerazzurri due to the ailment.

Four matches into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles are walking a tightrope as they sit second bottom in Group C with three points, four less than Rwanda, South Africa and Benin.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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