Sports News Today, 13 November 2026 (Evening): Eagles Beat Tanzania 3-1, Olympic Eagles Lose in Lubumbashi, Osimhen Update
Last updated: 13 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Friday 13 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good evening. This morning we previewed the Super Eagles’ must-win game in Uyo and the Olympic Eagles’ trip to Lubumbashi. Both games have now been played, and the results went in opposite directions. We also round up the rest of Friday’s AFCON qualifiers, the latest on Victor Osimhen’s knee, the goalkeeper debate in Chelle’s camp, a call to reward Nigeria’s athletes as well as the Flamingos, and a dramatic night at the WTA Finals.
Today at a glance
- Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo; Tolu Arokodare scored twice off the bench.
- Olympic Eagles lose 2-0 to DR Congo in the first leg of U-23 AFCON qualifying.
- Elsewhere in AFCON qualifying: Ethiopia win in Mozambique, Zambia and Burundi draw.
- Galatasaray official calls Osimhen’s knee problem “chronic”; 24 November comeback target.
- Chelle defends leaving out Maduka Okoye.
- Coach Tony Osheku asks for athletics medallists to be rewarded like the Flamingos.
- WTA Finals: Pegula saves a match point to knock out Gauff.
1. Super Eagles 3-1 Tanzania: Arokodare double puts Nigeria back in the race
What happened
Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead inside two minutes at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, finishing a move set up by Ademola Lookman. Tanzania levelled through Alphonce Msanga just after the half-hour, against the run of play, and Lookman went off injured just before the break, replaced by Moses Simon. Tolu Arokodare came on at half-time and changed the game: he scored a backheel finish in the 52nd minute from Wilfred Ndidi’s pass, then added a second on the hour from Moses Usor’s cross.
Why it matters
The win lifts Nigeria to six points from three Group L games, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who were held by Madagascar on Thursday. Tanzania are already through as co-hosts, so only one more ticket is up for grabs from the group. The return leg in Zanzibar on Tuesday is now a chance to go top. Lookman’s fitness is the big worry before then.
Source: Punch; Futbol24; beIN Sports.
2. Olympic Eagles beaten 2-0 in Lubumbashi
What happened
Nigeria’s U-23 side lost the first leg of their second-round U-23 AFCON qualifier to DR Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium. The hosts went ahead after 15 minutes when a cross was turned in by goalkeeper and captain Samuel James, and Filozofe Mabete doubled the lead before half-time. Bright Ozebagbe’s team, playing their first competitive match of the campaign after a first-round bye, could not find a reply.
Why it matters
The U-23 AFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying event for men’s football at the LA 2028 Olympics. Nigeria have missed the last two Olympic football tournaments and now need to win the return leg in Ikenne on Tuesday by three clear goals, or by two to force penalties. The winner faces Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso in March.
Source: Complete Sports; The Guardian; Pulse.
3. Around AFCON qualifying on Friday
What happened
Ethiopia won 1-0 away to Mozambique, Zambia and Burundi drew 1-1, and Comoros and Congo played out a goalless draw in Moroni, leaving Comoros second in Group G on four points. Several late kick-offs, including South Africa against Kenya and Egypt against Malawi, were still being played or confirmed as this edition went out.
Why it matters
Every group plays its return fixture between 16 and 17 November, so this window decides a lot. For results from earlier in the week, including Senegal, Ivory Coast and DR Congo’s wins, see this morning’s Sports News Today.
Source: SuperSport; Sport News Africa.
4. Osimhen’s knee: “chronic”, says Galatasaray official
What happened
Galatasaray vice-president Mehmet Cibara described Victor Osimhen’s left-knee problem as chronic and rejected suggestions that the injury happened off the pitch. The striker had keyhole surgery in Istanbul on 7 November to remove a loose fragment from the joint, after getting hurt in the Champions League win over Stuttgart. The club is reportedly aiming for a return against Aston Villa on 24 November but says it will not rush him.
Why it matters
This is the second international window in a row that Osimhen has missed. With Lookman also hurt in Uyo, Nigeria’s attacking depth will be tested in Zanzibar and beyond.
Source: Sporting Tribune; Daily Post.
5. Chelle on Okoye: “I made my choice”
What happened
Coach Éric Chelle defended leaving Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye out of the Tanzania double-header, picking Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo instead. He said the call was based on what happened on and around the pitch, and that the door remains open to Okoye.
Why it matters
Okoye played in the June friendlies against Poland and Portugal, so his absence surprised many fans. The goalkeeper position has been unsettled since the 3-0 loss in Guinea-Bissau.
Source: Soccernet NG; Punch.
6. Osheku: reward the athletes too
What happened
Veteran athletics coach Tony Osheku asked President Tinubu to extend the kind of reward given to the Flamingos to Nigeria’s track and field stars. On Wednesday each Flamingos player received a ₦100 million savings certificate after the U-17 Women’s World Cup win, with ₦100 million for head coach Akeem Busari and ₦50 million for each member of the technical crew. Osheku named the Commonwealth Games medallists, the Dakar Youth Olympics gold winners and athletes led by Tobi Amusan.
Why it matters
The appeal reopens a long-running debate about how Nigeria shares rewards between football and other sports that also win medals.
Source: The Guardian; Daily Trust.
7. WTA Finals: Pegula through, Gauff out
What happened
At Indian Wells, Jessica Pegula saved a match point to beat Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 and reach the semi-finals. Coco Gauff beat alternate Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 earlier in the day despite back trouble, but went out on sets won when three players finished 2-1 in the group. Pegula plays Mirra Andreeva on Saturday; Noskova meets the winner of Aryna Sabalenka against Elina Svitolina.
Why it matters
The season-ending event sets the tone heading into 2027. The men’s ATP Finals in Turin start on Sunday.
Source: The Independent; Business Recorder.
What to watch next
- Tanzania v Nigeria in Zanzibar on Tuesday 17 November, and Guinea-Bissau v Madagascar the same day.
- Olympic Eagles v DR Congo in Ikenne, Tuesday 17 November.
- Scan results on Ademola Lookman’s injury.
- WTA Finals semi-finals on Saturday; ATP Finals start Sunday in Turin.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigeria still qualify for AFCON 2027?
Yes. Nigeria have six points, one behind Guinea-Bissau, with three games left. Tanzania qualify as co-hosts, so one other team from Group L goes through.
What do the Olympic Eagles need in the second leg?
A win by three clear goals in Ikenne takes them through outright; a two-goal win sends the tie to penalties.
When does Osimhen return?
Galatasaray have not confirmed a date. Reports point to the Champions League game against Aston Villa on 24 November as the target.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
