The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has reacted to public criticism over his prophecy concerning the performance of Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He said his words were misunderstood and wrongly linked to a single match, adding that time would reveal the full meaning of his message.
Primate Ayodele made this known in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin. The cleric said some individuals deliberately twisted his prophecy for their own reasons, especially after Lookman scored a winning goal that helped Nigeria in their opening match of the tournament.
The controversy began after Nigeria’s positive result, where Lookman played a key role. Following the match, several football fans and social media users accused Primate Ayodele of making a false prediction, claiming that his prophecy about Lookman’s poor performance had already been proven wrong.
However, the prophet insisted that his comments were not about one match but about the entire AFCON tournament. He said critics rushed to conclusions without fully understanding what he said.
“My prophecy about Ademola Lookman in the ongoing AFCON tournament is being misrepresented and misunderstood by mischievous individuals for reasons best known to themselves,” Primate Ayodele said.
He explained that his prophecy was meant as a warning and not an attack on the player or the team. According to him, he never said Lookman would not perform in a particular match, including the game against Tanzania, but spoke about the overall impact of the player throughout the tournament.
“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 said.
Primate Ayodele urged Nigerians to be patient and allow the tournament to progress before judging the prophecy. He said one match is too early to conclude whether a prediction is right or wrong.
“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,” he added.
The AFCON tournament is one of the biggest football competitions in Africa, bringing together top national teams from across the continent. Nigeria, a three-time winner of the competition, entered the 2025 edition with high expectations from fans who are eager to see the Super Eagles lift the trophy again.
Ademola Lookman has been one of Nigeria’s standout players in recent years. The winger, who plays club football in Europe, has delivered important goals and strong performances for the national team. His form has made him a fan favourite and a key player in Nigeria’s AFCON campaign.
Because of his importance to the team, any statement concerning Lookman’s performance easily attracts attention. This partly explains why Primate Ayodele’s prophecy sparked strong reactions from football fans.
Primate Ayodele is known across Nigeria for making prophecies about national issues, politics, sports, and international events. His predictions, especially those related to football, often generate debate. While some people believe in his spiritual insights, others strongly criticise his statements when events appear to go differently.
Over the years, the prophet has spoken about the Super Eagles during major tournaments, sometimes warning of challenges and at other times expressing hope for success. His supporters say his messages are meant to guide and caution, not to condemn.
In his latest response, Primate Ayodele made it clear that he wants Nigeria to succeed at AFCON 2025. He said his warnings were motivated by love for the country and the national team.
“It would be my greatest joy if the Nigerian team wins,” he said. “I have always rooted for the Nigerian team and this is why my prophecies about them always come up.”
He added that Nigeria has what it takes to reach the final and possibly win the tournament, but only if the team listens to advice and avoids certain mistakes.
“I want them to lift the trophy and come back home victorious, but it will only happen if advices are listened to,” Primate Ayodele said.
The statement reflects a wider belief among many Nigerians that the Super Eagles have the talent needed to succeed but often struggle with consistency, team balance, and decision-making during major competitions.
Primate Ayodele’s call for patience also comes as a reminder that AFCON is a long tournament. Teams that start well do not always finish strong, while some teams improve as the competition goes on.
Meanwhile, reactions to his response have continued online. Some fans insist that football should be left to players and coaches, not prophecies. Others believe spiritual warnings should not be dismissed too quickly.
Despite the debate, the Super Eagles remain focused on their next matches as they aim to secure a place in the knockout stage. Coach and players have repeatedly said their attention is on teamwork, discipline, and taking one game at a time.
For now, Primate Ayodele says Nigerians should wait and see how events unfold before making final judgments about his prophecy. According to him, the full picture will only become clear as the tournament progresses.
As AFCON 2025 continues, all eyes remain on the Super Eagles and key players like Ademola Lookman. Whether Primate Ayodele’s words will prove accurate or not is something only time, as he said, will tell.