How Invited Real Betis Defender, Zakari Lukman Misses U23 AFCON

Why Invited Real Betis Defender, Zakari Lukman Could Not Join U23 In Camp

By Sampson Adedeji

The hope of former Golden Eaglets defender Lukman Zakari to be part of Dream Team VII to the 2019 U23 African Cup of Nations in Egypt has finally been dashed, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Zakari is one of many players head coach of the Nigeria U23 Imama Amapakabo invited to beef up the team ahead of the crucial tournament.

His club, Real Betis made frantic efforts, approached the immigration office for his traveling documents so that he can join his team mates in Abuja, the immigration however, denied him travelling documents because his resident card is not ready yet.

BSN Sports reports that the hard fighting defender joined Real Betis B side this season from FK Metta in the Latvian league and has been a regular player since his arrival.

“I was invited to the U-23 team camp in Abuja but unfortunately, I won’t be able to make the trip to Nigeria because my resident card is not ready.

“Of course, my team tried to get me travelling document but the immigration simply refused to accept it and I was told I won’t be able to return to Spain once I leave now.

“I feel so pained that I won’t be able to come and help my country at this time but my prayers would be with the team  so that they can get a ticket to Tokyo 2020 so that I can also have the chance  in the future," Zakari concluded