Ademola Lookman ruled out of Nigeria's AFCON qualifier in Tanzania with a knee ligament sprain
Ademola Lookman will miss Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday after a scan revealed a sprain in his knee ligament, the Super Eagles' media officer confirmed on Saturday. The Atlético Madrid forward was forced off late in the first half of Friday's 3–1 win over Tanzania in Uyo and will return to his club for further assessment. Nigeria are second in Group L, chasing the group's one qualifying place.
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Key points
- Lookman is ruled out of Tuesday's qualifier in Zanzibar — a scan showed a knee ligament sprain, the team's media officer confirmed.
- He was forced off late in the first half of Friday's 3–1 win over Tanzania in Uyo.
- He returns to Atlético Madrid for further assessment; Nigeria are second in Group L, chasing one qualifying place.
What happened
Lookman started Friday's first leg in Uyo alongside Akor Adams and went down without contact before taking a knock to the same knee; head coach Eric Chelle said after the match that the knee had 'a little problem' before Saturday's scan settled his availability.
Nigeria won the first leg 3–1 and travel to Zanzibar for Tuesday's return knowing the group sends only one team through besides co-hosts Tanzania.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedSuper Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed on Saturday that a scan has revealed Ademola Lookman suffered a sprain in his knee ligament during Friday's match, and that this rules him out of Nigeria's next AFCON qualifier, against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday.Daily Trust — AFCON qualifier: Injured Lookman to miss Tanzania clash in Zanzibar (14 Nov 2026) · Complete Sports — Lookman ruled out of Tanzania double-header with injury (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedLookman was forced off late in the first half of Nigeria's 3–1 win over Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday and was replaced by Moses Simon.Complete Sports — Lookman ruled out of Tanzania double-header with injury (14 Nov 2026) · WoraMangra — Injury knocks Lookman out of Nigeria's AFCON qualifying reverse fixture (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedLookman is expected to return to his club, Atlético Madrid, for further assessment and treatment, and the Super Eagles were scheduled to travel to Zanzibar on Sunday.Complete Sports — Lookman ruled out of Tanzania double-header with injury (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedNigeria are second in Group L with six points, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, and with co-hosts Tanzania already qualified for the finals, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the group's one remaining qualifying place.WoraMangra — Injury knocks Lookman out of Nigeria's AFCON qualifying reverse fixture (14 Nov 2026) · The Athletic NG — Eric Chelle provides injury update on Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman (14 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- Lookman's absence from Tuesday's match is confirmed by the team's own media officer, with the scan finding stated.
What we don't know yet
- How long Lookman will be out beyond Tuesday — no recovery timeline had been given in the reporting read.
- Who replaces him in the starting side in Zanzibar — the team had not been named.