Nigeria will be without Ademola Lookman for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Tanzania after scans showed the Atlético Madrid forward suffered a knee ligament sprain in Friday’s 3-1 win in Uyo. The news, confirmed on Saturday by the Super Eagles’ media team according to Pulse Nigeria, takes one of Eric Chelle’s most influential attackers out of a match that could decide who tops Group L.
The Super Eagles travel to Tanzania for the return fixture, which reports say will be played in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 17 November, four days after the first meeting at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
How the injury happened
Lookman, 29, had made an immediate impact on Friday, setting up Alhassan Yusuf for the opening goal inside the first two minutes. But he went down late in the first half with a knee problem and was replaced by Moses Simon in first-half stoppage time, with the score level at 1-1.
Speaking after the match, Chelle initially played down the problem. According to Legit.ng, the coach explained that Lookman’s knee began to hurt when he tried to shoot with his left foot, and that a knock on the same knee then forced him off. Chelle described it as “a little problem” at the time.
Subsequent medical scans, however, showed a ligament sprain. BoldSports reported that the extent of the injury was confirmed by sources close to the camp and that Lookman will not feature in Zanzibar. No timeline for his return has been made public, and it is not yet clear whether he will remain with the squad or return to his club for treatment.
Good news on Bassey and Fredrick
There was better news for the Nigerian camp on two other players who finished Friday’s game in discomfort. Defender Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick both suffered cramps during the match but have recovered, Legit.ng reported, citing the coach’s update. Both are expected to be available for selection on Tuesday.
Arokodare in line to start
Lookman’s absence could open the door for Tolu Arokodare, the hero of Friday night. The striker came off the bench to score twice in the second half, turning a tense 1-1 contest into a comfortable victory and lifting the mood after September’s 3-0 defeat in Bissau.
Pulse Nigeria suggested that Chelle could pair Arokodare with Akor Adams in attack for the return leg, while Moses Simon, who replaced Lookman in Uyo, is another option on the flank. Chelle has not yet named his starting line-up.
What is at stake in Group L
The win over Tanzania moved Nigeria to six points, one behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau on seven. The arithmetic in Group L is unusual: Tanzania have already qualified for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, which leaves only one automatic qualification place for the remaining teams in the group.
That means Nigeria effectively must finish above Guinea-Bissau to be sure of a place at the tournament. Another win over Tanzania on Tuesday would keep the pressure on the leaders and could put the Super Eagles in control, depending on Guinea-Bissau’s result in the same window.
Tanzania, although already through, will be keen to make amends in front of their own fans after being beaten in Uyo, and the Taifa Stars troubled Nigeria at times in the first half on Friday.
What happens next
The Super Eagles are expected to leave Uyo for Tanzania ahead of Tuesday’s match. All eyes will be on Chelle’s team selection and on further updates from the medical team on Lookman, whose fitness will also be watched closely by Atlético Madrid ahead of the resumption of club football after the international break.
Flashinfong will bring you the line-ups and result from Zanzibar on Tuesday.
Sources: Pulse Nigeria, BoldSports, Legit.ng, Naija News.
