Ademola Lookman, who came off injured in Nigeria’s win over Tanzania, has suffered a ligament sprain in his knee according to a scan. The Atlético Madrid winger is ruled out of Tuesday 17 November’s return match in Zanzibar.
Ademola Lookman came off injured at the end of the first half of Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Tanzania in Uyo. Replaced by his teammate Moses Simon, the winger had earlier provided the assist for Alhassan Yusuf’s opening goal, according to TheCable.
The diagnosis was given by Promise Efoghe, the Super Eagles’ media officer: “A scan revealed that Ademola Lookman suffered a ligament sprain in his knee during yesterday’s match. That rules him out of the next AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday.”
A knee problem before the knock
Eric Chelle, the Nigeria head coach, detailed the sequence, according to Apex Football and Daily Post: “Ademola, his knee is giving him a bit of a problem. He took a knock and we don’t know if it was a knock. When he tried to score with his left foot, his knee started to hurt him. After that, he took a blow to the knee. That’s why he came off the pitch.”
The player therefore felt discomfort as he attempted to shoot with his left foot, before taking a blow to the same spot. It was that second contact that led to his withdrawal at the end of the first half.
A Super Eagles mainstay, an uncertain return
Now 29, Lookman, a former Fulham and Atalanta player, has 46 caps for Nigeria, with 11 goals and 11 assists since his debut in 2022. He was also named CAF African Player of the Year.
He is due to return to Atlético Madrid to continue his treatment, according to Daily Post. No recovery timeframe has been announced, leaving the date of his return to competition up in the air.
Zanzibar with two players back
For the return match, however, Eric Chelle welcomes back Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick, recovered from cramps and available for the game, according to Apex Football. The Super Eagles fly to Zanzibar on Sunday, according to Daily Post.
Nigeria lead the tie after the 3-1 first-leg win in Uyo, Apex Football notes. Tanzania v Nigeria is played on Tuesday 17 November 2026 in Zanzibar, without Lookman.