Lookman ruled out of Nigeria's Tanzania return with knee ligament sprain

Ademola Lookman will miss Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday 17 November after a scan showed a sprained ligament in his knee. He was hurt during the 3-1 win over the same opponents in Uyo on Friday 13 November, and his absence leaves Éric Chelle another attacker short with Nigeria a point off the top of their group.

The Super Eagles media team confirmed the diagnosis on Saturday 14 November, the day after the match.

"A scan has revealed Ademola Lookman suffered a sprain in his knee ligament during yesterday's match," media officer Promise Efoghe said, as quoted by TheCable. "This rules him out of Nigeria's next AFCON qualifier versus Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday."

According to Flashscore, Lookman is expected to return to Spain for further assessment and treatment. How long he will be out is not yet known.

A bright start cut short

Lookman's match had begun well. He provided the assist for Alhassan Yusuf's opener in the second minute at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, giving Nigeria the early lead they wanted.

He did not make it to half-time. The accounts of how it happened differ slightly. Afrik-Foot reported that he went down in the 42nd minute after a goal-bound shot was blocked by a defender, and limped off in the 44th. Flashscore also gave the 44th minute for his exit, while TheCable reported that he was injured following a tackle, was treated by the team physiotherapist and was substituted in first-half added time.

Moses Simon came on in his place, as TheCable, Flashscore and Daily Post Nigeria all reported.

Speaking before the scan result was known, Chelle described what his player had felt. "His knee took a knock, but we don't know the full extent yet," the head coach said, according to Afrik-Foot. "He felt that when he tried to shoot, his knee started to bother him."

Daily Post Nigeria carried a similar line from the coach. "Ademola has a little problem. He took a knock on his knee when he tried to score a goal with his left foot."

Nigeria finished the job without him. Flashscore reported that substitute Tolu Arokodare scored twice as the Super Eagles won 3-1.

What it means for Chelle

The timing is awkward. Flashscore reported that Chelle was already without Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, whose knee injury required surgery. Losing Lookman as well means Nigeria travel without two of their attackers.

The win in Uyo did at least show there is cover. Simon was the man Chelle turned to when Lookman went off, and Arokodare's two goals from the bench make a strong case for more minutes in the return game.

The points matter too. After the win on Friday 13 November, Nigeria were second in Group L with six points from three matches, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, according to Flashscore. That leaves little room for a slip in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar next

Nigeria were scheduled to leave for Zanzibar on Sunday 15 November. The return fixture against Tanzania is at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday 17 November, with kick-off at 13:00 UTC.

Guinea-Bissau play Madagascar in qualifying later the same day, at 16:00 UTC. On the standings after the Uyo match, a Nigeria win would take them to nine points and above the leaders' current tally before Guinea-Bissau have kicked off.

Lookman, meanwhile, is expected to head back to Spain for further assessment, and Nigeria will wait to learn how long the knee keeps him out.