Nigerians knock Primate Ayodele after Lookman defies bad-luck prophecy

File: Primate Elijah Ayodele

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Renowned cleric and founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has come under heavy criticism after his gloomy prophecy about Ademola Lookman appeared to be contradicted by events at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Ayodele had warned ahead of the tournament that Lookman would not be effective for Nigeria, but the Atalanta forward proved decisive in the Super Eagles’ opening Group C match against Tanzania, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 victory. Lookman struck with his left foot just a minute after Charles M’Mombwa cancelled out Semi Ajayi’s opener.

Speaking last Saturday, the cleric cautioned that certain players should not be relied upon, singling out Lookman among those he believed would not help the team. He also called for an alternative to first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, advised that Victor Osimhen should not be made to play full matches, and insisted Nigeria would avoid an early exit if his guidance was followed.

“The coach doesn’t have luck, and that will affect us. Meanwhile, we are not going to be eliminated early if they put the right people there. Ademola Lookman will not help them… they need an alternative to Nwabali; we can get to the final,” Ayodele said.

The controversy intensified after Nigeria’s win on Tuesday, when media strategist Deji Adesokan drew attention to the prophecy on social media, prompting widespread reactions from fans.

“Renowned cleric Primate Elijah Ayodele reportedly warned that Ademola Lookman would bring bad luck to the Super Eagles and advised the coach against using him against Tanzania. However, the pitch proved otherwise, as Lookman scored the decisive goal,” Adesokan wrote on X.

Fans were quick to mock the prediction. A user identified as Yoruba Demon commented, “Thank God it’s bad luck he prophesied. His prophecies are always the opposite. If he has seen bad luck, then good luck is guaranteed.”

Another user, Jimada Gan, wrote, “The pitch doesn’t recognise prophecies, only goals — and Lookman answered with one.”

“Elijah Ayodele has done it again; the last time he predicted a football match, it failed, and now this,” Nnayi Lexon added.

Franklin Ezeudu also weighed in, saying, “Performance on the field speaks louder than superstitions. Lookman proved his value, showing that talent and preparation matter more than predictions.”

“Nonsense of the highest order. Football is played with skill and tactics, not superstition and prophecies. This man should keep this away from sports. The same nonsense he’s doing in politics,” an X user with the name Jeff wrote.

“In 2025, you still take all these pastors seriously? Y’all need to be checked,” Lucky Stone added.

Similar sentiments were echoed on Facebook, where Joe Ezemba wrote, “Anyone who calls himself a prophet and starts prophesying football or politics has crossed his boundaries,” while Godwin Monorie added, “A prophet doesn’t talk every day over minor issues.”

However, some commentators urged restraint, arguing that it was too early to dismiss the prophecy. Writing via Eagle Online, Ganiyu Mubarak noted that the tournament was still in its early stages.

“The Super Eagles have played just one match out of several. There are still group games, the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. One match is inconsequential in the bigger picture,” he wrote, questioning how a single goal could invalidate a prophecy about the entire tournament.

This is not the first time Primate Ayodele has ventured into football predictions. In 2024, he warned that Victor Osimhen would struggle if he joined Chelsea and also claimed the striker’s five-year stint at Galatasaray would not be worthwhile.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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