Lookman injury concern after Nigeria win raises AFCON qualification doubts

Ademola Lookman’s fitness is in doubt after the Atletico Madrid forward was forced off with a knee injury during Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Tanzania in their AFCON 2027 qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

The 29-year-old started at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and made an immediate impact. After combining with Akor Adams in the second minute, Lookman created the opening for Alhassan Yusuf to score.

He continued to pose a threat for Nigeria until shortly before half-time, when he went down and indicated that he could not carry on. Moses Simon replaced him before the interval, with the score level at 1-1.

Nigeria eventually secured victory with two second-half goals from substitute Tolu Arokodare. However, the result was overshadowed by the latest injury concern surrounding one of the Super Eagles’ key attacking players.

Head coach Eric Chelle said Lookman had been affected by a challenge rather than suffering an injury without contact.

“His knee started to feel bad after he took a knock,” Chelle said at his post-match press conference. “That is why he had to come off.”

The extent of the problem has yet to be established. Lookman will undergo further assessment to determine whether he can take part in the return leg against Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday.

The incident adds to a series of fitness concerns involving the forward during his international career. At AFCON 2025, Lookman required attention after a heavy challenge against Tunisia, although he later reassured supporters that he was “good and fine”.

He has also experienced muscle and other soft-tissue problems while with Nigeria. At club level, absences, including a knee injury earlier in 2025, have at times affected his availability and match sharpness when he has joined up with the national team.

Those interruptions have occasionally disrupted his rhythm, despite Lookman remaining one of Nigeria’s most creative attacking options in the absence of Victor Osimhen.

Atletico Madrid will be monitoring the situation, with Lookman having had a stop-start campaign in Spain. A prolonged absence would be a setback for both club and country, although Nigeria’s immediate focus is on establishing the seriousness of the injury before the second match against Tanzania.

A successful outcome across the two fixtures would leave Chelle’s side firmly in contention for automatic qualification from Group L.

Lookman’s latest setback came after he had helped create the opening goal, underlining how quickly the circumstances can change in international football. Nigeria will hope the knee knock is only minor and that their influential forward can return soon.