Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, the spiritual head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has stated that his prophecy concerning Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is being misrepresented. This clarification follows intense criticism directed at the cleric after Lookman delivered a standout performance, helping Nigeria secure a knockout stage berth.
Prophetic Warning or Misinterpretation?
In a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, and sent to Legit.ng, Primate Ayodele accused "mischievous individuals" of twisting his words for their own agenda. The cleric faced a fierce backlash online after predictions surfaced suggesting Lookman would disappoint at the tournament.
However, Lookman's contributions on the pitch have seemingly contradicted this narrative. The Atalanta winger was instrumental in Nigeria's dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, a win that guaranteed the Super Eagles' progression from the group stage. His performance earned him the official Man of the Match award.
Ayodele's Clarification on the Prophecy
Primate Ayodele insisted that his prophecy was about Lookman's role in the entire AFCON 2025 tournament, not just the opening match against Tanzania. He urged critics to exercise patience and allow the competition to unfold before judging the accuracy of his spiritual insight.
"My prophecy about Ademola Lookman in the ongoing AFCON tournament is being misrepresented and misunderstood by mischievous individuals for reasons best known to themselves," the statement read. "The prophecy was a warning, and what I said was that Lookman will not help the team in the tournament, not exactly the match against Tanzania."
He further emphasized, "This is just the beginning of the match. We have just started the game and played only one match already; we should all wait before attacking the prophecy. One game cannot judge our performance in the tournament."
Lookman's Rising Star in Morocco
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Lookman's excellent form. In the crucial match against Tunisia, goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Lookman propelled Nigeria to a commanding lead before a late Tunisian rally made the finish tense. Lookman's overall play was decisive, marking a significant improvement from the team's opening game.
Currently, the 28-year-old is the joint top scorer at the 2025 AFCON, solidifying his status as a key player for the Super Eagles. His performances have sparked widespread praise from Nigerian fans and discussions about his club future, with reported interest from clubs like Galatasaray.
Interestingly, teammate Victor Osimhen has reportedly counseled Lookman regarding a potential transfer, endorsing a move to the Turkish giants as an ideal career step, according to reports from Turkish media.
As the Super Eagles prepare for the knockout rounds in Morocco, the focus remains split between the team's sporting ambitions and the ongoing debate surrounding Primate Ayodele's prophecy. All eyes will be on Ademola Lookman to see if his stellar performances continue, potentially settling the spiritual debate on the pitch.
