Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shed light on his decision to include Ademola Lookman in his squad for last month’s World Cup qualifiers.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year featured prominently against Rwanda and South Africa despite not having a preseason with his club, Atalanta, due to his transfer saga.

Speaking in an interview with AfricaFoot, the Malian tactician lauded Lookman as an indispensable member of the Super Eagles team.

“Apparently, each is taking a step towards the other, and that’s good news. From what I know, Lookman was supposed to leave last summer, but his management refused, which affected him a lot, as I saw during the meeting last September.

“Lookman is a great player, but also a quiet, introverted man who doesn’t let his emotions show. I think his management and coaching staff understood that the team needed him, and Ademola needs to play.

“To those who were surprised, I replied that it was difficult to do without a player of this level, and Lookman was in good shape — he was training hard, because he is a great professional, very demanding of himself.

“I had spoken with him before the gathering, and I knew that I could trust him. Initially, I thought that because of his lack of rhythm, he would only be able to play about thirty minutes. It is in the best interest of the club and the player that Ademola plays again.”

WDN