Sports News Today, 14 November 2026 (Evening): Lookman Out of Zanzibar Clash, Yohanna Leaves U23 Camp, Wales Stun All Blacks
Last updated: 14 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Saturday 14 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
The morning’s big worry has been settled, and not in Nigeria’s favour: Ademola Lookman will miss Tuesday’s return leg in Zanzibar. The Olympic Eagles have lost a forward too, while Wales produced one of rugby’s great upsets and India won a last-ball cricket final. Here is the sport since this morning, facts and results only.
Today at a glance
- Scan confirms a knee ligament sprain for Ademola Lookman; he is out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania on Tuesday.
- Olympic Eagles forward Zadok Yohanna is reported to be heading back to Brighton for checks after his injury in Lubumbashi.
- Turkish media say Victor Osimhen is being lined up to return against Aston Villa on 24 November.
- Wales beat New Zealand 35-28, their first win over the All Blacks since 1953.
- Kosovo and Israel draw 0-0 in the Nations League, keeping Ireland’s hopes in their own hands.
- India beat Pakistan by one wicket off the final ball to win the Under-19 Asia Cup.
1. Lookman ruled out of Zanzibar return leg
What happened
Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed on Saturday that a scan showed Ademola Lookman sprained a knee ligament in Friday’s 3-1 win over Tanzania in Uyo. The Atlético Madrid forward, who set up Alhassan Yusuf’s second-minute opener, went off in first-half stoppage time for Moses Simon. The statement said the injury rules him out of Tuesday’s qualifier at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, and he is expected to return to his club for treatment. Coach Eric Chelle had said after the game that Lookman felt the knee when he tried to shoot with his left foot. On the positive side, Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick, who both needed attention in Uyo, are reported to have recovered. The squad flies to Zanzibar on Sunday, with kick-off on Tuesday at 2pm Nigerian time.
Why it matters
Nigeria are second in Group L on six points, one behind Guinea-Bissau, and only one non-host place is available because Tanzania qualify automatically as co-hosts. Losing Lookman on top of Osimhen leaves Chelle relying on Simon, Moses Usor and two-goal hero Tolu Arokodare in attack. See our AFCON 2027 qualifiers table for what the Eagles need.
Source: TheCable; Daily Post; Soccernet.
2. Olympic Eagles lose Yohanna for DR Congo return leg
What happened
Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna, making his first start for Nigeria’s Under-23 side, was forced off in the first half of Friday’s 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in Lubumbashi. Legit.ng, citing NaijaNow, reported that the 20-year-old skipped Saturday morning’s recovery session in Addis Ababa and was due to fly back to England for assessment by his club, ending his involvement in this window. The return leg is on Tuesday, 17 November, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Why it matters
Nigeria must win by three clear goals to progress, or by two to force penalties. Elimination would end hopes of a first Olympic football appearance since Rio 2016 at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Source: Legit.ng; The Guardian Nigeria; New Telegraph.
3. Osimhen comeback date reported
What happened
Turkish outlet Fanatik reports that Galatasaray plan to bring Victor Osimhen back from knee surgery for the Champions League home game against Aston Villa on 24 November, rather than risk him in the league against Samsunspor three days earlier. Osimhen had a loose fragment removed from his left knee after hurting it against VfB Stuttgart. The club has not set a return date and says his recovery is monitored daily, so treat the date as a media report, not an official timeline.
Why it matters
A smooth return before the end of the year would ease worries about Nigeria’s first-choice striker ahead of the next qualifiers and the January transfer window. Our guide to where every Super Eagles player plays tracks him and his teammates.
Source: Soccernet, citing Fanatik; Legit.ng; Blueprint.
4. Rugby: Wales stun the All Blacks
What happened
Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 in the Nations Championship at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, their first victory over the All Blacks since a 13-8 win in December 1953 and the end of a 34-match losing run against them. Tomos Williams, captain Dewi Lake, Archie Griffin, Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit scored tries, with fly-half Costelow converting all five. New Zealand levelled 21-21 at half-time and pulled within seven late on, but Wales held them up over the line three times to close it out.
Elsewhere in the Nations Championship
Argentina won 19-14 in Genoa, leaving Italy with five defeats from five. On Friday night, France edged world champions South Africa 21-19 at the Stade de France after leading 21-7 at the break, with Antoine Dupont named player of the match.
Why it matters
Rugby is growing in Nigeria and among the diaspora in the UK and France, and Saturday’s result is a reminder that long losing streaks can end. Wales host Australia next Saturday.
Source: BBC Sport; Reuters; SuperSport/AFP.
5. Nations League: ten-man Kosovo held by Israel
What happened
Kosovo and Israel drew 0-0 in Pristina in League B Group 3. Kosovo had the better chances but finished with ten men after a second-half red card. The result means the Republic of Ireland, who play Austria in Linz tonight, will secure second place and a promotion play-off spot if they beat Kosovo at home on Tuesday. In League A, Spain and England are already through to the quarter-finals and meet in Madrid on Sunday to decide Group A3.
Why it matters
Several Nigerian-heritage players feature for European nations, and the quarter-final and play-off draw on 20 November will shape next year’s international calendar.
6. Cricket: India win U19 Asia Cup off the last ball
What happened
India beat Pakistan by one wicket in the Under-19 Asia Cup final at Al Amerat, Oman. Pakistan made 337 for 9, led by Usman Khan’s 107. India slipped to nine down needing 29 with under three overs left, but number 10 Mohit Ulva hit an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls, finishing with a boundary when three were needed from the final delivery. It was India’s ninth title in the competition.
Why it matters
Nigeria’s cricket programme is building at youth level, and finals like this show how quickly junior players can rise to the senior game.
Source: Cricbuzz; India Today.
What to watch next
- Saturday night AFCON qualifiers: Algeria v Togo and Angola v South Sudan, plus the Uganda v Botswana result.
- NPFL Matchday 13 continues on Sunday, including Warri Wolves v Sporting Lagos.
- Tuesday 17 November: Tanzania v Nigeria in Zanzibar (2pm) and Nigeria U23 v DR Congo U23 in Ikenne.
- Spain v England in the Nations League on Sunday, and the WTA Finals title match.
Frequently asked questions
Will Lookman play against Tanzania on Tuesday?
No. The Super Eagles confirmed on Saturday that a knee ligament sprain rules him out of the Zanzibar match.
What do the Olympic Eagles need against DR Congo?
After losing 2-0 away, they must win by three clear goals in Ikenne to go through, or by exactly two to take the tie to penalties.
When did Wales last beat New Zealand before today?
In December 1953, when they won 13-8 in Cardiff.
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.
