Renowned Nigerian cleric Primate Elijah Ayodele is facing a wave of intense criticism and mockery online after a football prophecy he made about Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman spectacularly failed to materialize during the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Prophecy Clashes with Pitch Reality
Ahead of the tournament, the founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church had issued a stark warning concerning the Atalanta attacker. Primate Ayodele advised the Nigerian technical crew not to rely on Lookman, prophesying that the player "will not help them" and would be ineffective for the Super Eagles.
However, the reality on the pitch delivered a direct contradiction. In Nigeria's opening Group C match against Tanzania, Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero. After Semi Ajayi's opener was cancelled out by Charles M'Mombwa's equalizer for Tanzania, Lookman struck decisively. He scored the winning goal just a minute later with a left-footed strike, securing a crucial 2–1 victory for the three-time African champions.
Social Media Erupts in Mockery and Debate
The prophecy resurfaced immediately after the final whistle, triggering a firestorm on social media platforms. The controversy gained significant traction after media strategist Deji Adesokan highlighted the cleric's prediction on X (formerly Twitter).
Adesokan's post, which noted that the "pitch proved otherwise," opened the floodgates for reactions from football fans across Nigeria. Many users seized the opportunity to mock the failed prediction.
One user, Yoruba Demon, quipped: "Thank God it’s bad luck he prophesied. His prophecies are always the opposite." Another fan, Jimada Gan, stated succinctly: "The pitch doesn’t recognise prophecies, only goals, and Lookman answered with one."
The incident ignited a broader debate about the place of spiritual predictions in sports. A user named Jeff commented, "Football is played with skill and tactics, not superstition," reflecting a sentiment shared by many who argued for a focus on athletic merit over prophetic pronouncements.
History of Predictions and Calls for Caution
This is not Primate Ayodele's first foray into football prophecies. In 2024, he predicted difficulties for Victor Osimhen if the striker joined Chelsea and also questioned the value of Osimhen's reported move to Galatasaray, adding a layer of history to the current controversy.
Despite the widespread criticism, some voices have urged for perspective. Analyst Ganiyu Mubarak, writing via Eagle Online, cautioned that it is too early to fully judge the prophecy based on a single match. He noted that the tournament is still in its early stages, with group games and potential knockout rounds remaining, suggesting the final assessment should wait.
As the AFCON 2025 tournament progresses in Morocco, the conversation surrounding faith, football, and performance continues. For now, the majority of fans are celebrating Lookman's contribution and insisting that results on the pitch remain the ultimate and undeniable judge of a player's worth.
