AFCON 2027Q: Lookman to miss Tanzania rematch with knee injury

Nigeria's Super Eagles have announced that Ademola Lookman will be absent from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Zanzibar due to injury. Promise Efoghe, the team's media officer, confirmed the news to the media on Saturday, three days prior to the match. Lookman suffered the injury during the first encounter between the two teams, when Nigeria secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory.

The Atletico Madrid forward had assisted for Nigeria's second-minute goal before suffering a knee ligament sprain in the 43rd minute of the match, which was left at 1-1. He was substituted by Moses Simon in the added time of the first half, following on-field treatment at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo. The injury was confirmed by a scan following the game.

Lookman's absence from the match could be due to his return to Atletico Madrid for recovery or joining the team in Zanzibar to support them from the sidelines. Since the start of the new season, Lookman has contributed only two goals (1 goal, 1 assist) for both club and country, with his assist for Alhassan Yusuf's opener in Uyo being his first goal contribution in national team colors in four matches. He has 11 goal contributions in 46 caps for Nigeria since his debut in 2022.