Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said Ademola Lookman took a knock to his knee in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Tanzania in Uyo on Friday. Lookman left the pitch in first-half stoppage time, The Athletic NG report.
The Atletico Madrid forward was replaced by Moses Simon with the score at 1-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. He had started in attack alongside Akor Adams.
Chelle did not say how serious the injury is. Sports247 reports that no recovery timeline has been confirmed.
Lookman set up Alhassan Yusuf’s opening goal in the second minute. Tanzania equalised in the 32nd minute through Alphonce Msanga, who finished from a Novatus Miroshi assist.
READ MORE: Tolu Arokodare brace lifts Nigeria past Tanzania as Super Eagles close gap in Group L
Tolu Arokodare, a second half substitute, put Nigeria back in front in the 52nd minute from a Wilfred Ndidi pass. He scored again in the 60th minute after being set up by fellow substitute Moses Usor.
Arokodare was named Player of the Match. Chelle said his side lost concentration for about 30 seconds in the first half and conceded.
The result lifted Nigeria to six points from three games and second place in Group L. Guinea-Bissau lead with seven points after a 1-1 draw with Madagascar on Thursday.
Despite the victory, there were concerns over several players, with Lookman confirmed to have suffered a knee injury. Centre-back pairing Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Frederick also received treatment late in the game.
Ademola Lookman sustained an injury in the first half against Tanzania (Photo credit: The Athletic Images)
On Ademola Lookman, Chelle said: “Ademola has a little problem,” Chelle said after the match. “He took a knock on his knee when he tried to score a goal with his left foot.”
Nigeria began the campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September. They then lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in their next qualifier.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle on Lookman:
“Ademola has a little problem. He took a knock on his knee when he tried to score a goal with his left foot.”
@TheAthleticNG https://t.co/7k6rW5b3V6
— Nsidibe Akpan (@nsidibeakpan23) November 14, 2026
Tanzania have already qualified for the finals as co-hosts. Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the one remaining place.
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Nigeria played without Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on 7 November after a loose fragment was found, following an injury in his club’s Champions League match against Stuttgart.
Galatasaray said he is expected to be out for about three weeks.
Nigeria face Tanzania again in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 17 November. Lookman’s availability for that match has not been confirmed.
