Sports News Today, 12 November 2026 (Evening): Chelle Demands Six Points, Osimhen Knee Chronic, Ghana Beat Somalia
Last updated: 12 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Thursday 12 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good evening. With less than 24 hours to kick-off in Uyo, Eric Chelle has made clear there is no room for another slip against Tanzania, while the Olympic Eagles have finalised their plans in Lubumbashi. Galatasaray have added a worrying word about Victor Osimhen’s knee, Ghana finally got off the mark in AFCON qualifying, and the ATP Finals draw is out. Here is the evening sports picture.
Today at a glance
- Chelle: the Super Eagles must win both Tanzania games to keep AFCON 2027 hopes alive.
- Olympic Eagles to switch to a 4-3-3 with NPFL players at the back for Friday’s first leg in DR Congo.
- Galatasaray vice-president says Osimhen’s knee problem is chronic, not caused by the club’s pitch.
- Ghana beat Somalia 2-0 for their first win of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
- ATP Finals draw: Zverev and Alcaraz head separate groups in Turin.
- Cristiano Ronaldo starts filming his first TV drama, a week after quitting Portugal duty.
1. Chelle: no margin for error against Tanzania
What happened
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle told the NFF that his squad must do everything to win both legs against Tanzania, saying the players want to erase the memory of the 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau. Captain Wilfred Ndidi echoed the six-point target. The first leg is at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday at 5pm Nigerian time (4pm UK), with the return on Tuesday 17 November in Zanzibar. Victor Osimhen (knee surgery) and Samuel Chukwueze are out, so the attack rests on Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare, who the NFF says has 13 goals this season. Fans are debating whether Arthur Okonkwo should replace Stanley Nwabali in goal and whether Lookman, who has struggled for starts at Atletico Madrid, should begin on the bench.
Why it matters
Guinea-Bissau lead Group L on six points to Nigeria’s three, and only one qualifying place is up for grabs because co-hosts Tanzania are already through. Their game with Madagascar was still being played as we went to press. See the full picture on our AFCON 2027 qualifiers table.
Source: NFF; Daily Post; Pulse Nigeria.
2. Olympic Eagles set their plan for Lubumbashi
What happened
With Chelle in Uyo, the Olympic Eagles will be led on Friday by assistants Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe, who are expected to use a 4-3-3 rather than the diamond. Team media officer Niyi Busari said Chelle wants NPFL-based players from goalkeeper through defence, with foreign-based players in midfield and attack. All 23 players are in camp; Nasarawa United winger Prince Bawa replaced the injured Sani Suleiman, taking the home-based count to eight. DR Congo coach Guy Bukasa has lost three players to injury, and a Ugandan crew led by referee Joshua Duula will officiate at the TP Mazembe Stadium, where the match is behind closed doors. The return leg is in Ikenne on Tuesday.
Why it matters
This tie is a step on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; the winner meets Burkina Faso or Sierra Leone next.
Source: The Punch (via The Lagos); Sports Village Square; ACL Sports.
3. Galatasaray: Osimhen’s knee issue is chronic
What happened
Galatasaray vice-president Mehmet Cibara rejected claims that the Rams Park pitch caused Osimhen’s latest injury, describing the striker’s knee problem as a long-standing one and saying he would say no more during the international break. Osimhen had arthroscopic surgery after hurting the knee in the 3 November Champions League win over Stuttgart. A club advisory board member, Turcan Bolayır, went further, publicly dismissing the pitch theory in sharp terms. Reports suggest the club hopes he returns after the break, possibly for the Champions League game against Aston Villa on 24 November.
Why it matters
Osimhen has not played for Nigeria since the AFCON semi-final against Morocco in January. A recurring knee problem would be a major concern for the rest of the qualifying campaign.
Source: Nigeria Football; Pulse Nigeria.
4. Ghana finally win as AFCON qualifying resumes
What happened
Ghana beat Somalia 2-0 at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi on Thursday afternoon, their first win of the 2027 qualifiers after defeats to Gambia and Ivory Coast. Defender Jonas Adjetey opened the scoring and Felix Afena-Gyan added the second just after the hour; the BBC noted a missed Ayew penalty. Ghana now trail Group C leaders Ivory Coast and Gambia, who meet tonight in Bouaké. Cameroon v Namibia, Senegal v Sudan and Benin v Central African Republic are also on tonight’s card.
Why it matters
Our West African rivals are fighting for their own place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. For Nigeria, the result that matters most tonight is Madagascar v Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
Source: BBC Sport; Pulse Ghana.
5. ATP Finals: Zverev and Alcaraz learn their groups
What happened
The draw for the season-ending ATP Finals was made in Turin on Thursday. World No. 1 Alexander Zverev, a two-time champion, heads the John McEnroe Group with Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils and Rafael Jodar. Carlos Alcaraz, last year’s runner-up, leads the Ivan Lendl Group with Daniil Medvedev, home favourite Flavio Cobolli and Frances Tiafoe. Play runs from 15 to 22 November at the Inalpi Arena, with the singles final on Sunday 22 November.
Why it matters
For Nigerian tennis fans at home and in the diaspora, it is the last big men’s event of the year and a test of who finishes the season on top.
Source: ATP Tour; Sky Sports; ANSA.
6. Ronaldo starts filming his first TV drama
What happened
Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Instagram that production has begun on Day 1s, a football drama made with British director Matthew Vaughn through their company UR Marv Studios. Ronaldo is executive producer and will play himself. Damian Lewis stars as a fictional football agent, with rapper Dave and Thierry Henry also involved; behind-the-scenes photos showed the Brentford dressing room. The Al-Nassr forward, 41, recently ended his Portugal career with a record 146 goals in 234 games.
Why it matters
It is a sign of how top players are building careers beyond the pitch while still playing.
What to watch next
- Tonight: Madagascar v Guinea-Bissau result (Group L); Ivory Coast v Gambia; England v Croatia and Italy v France in the Nations League.
- Friday 13 Nov: Nigeria v Tanzania in Uyo, 5pm WAT; DR Congo v Nigeria U-23 in Lubumbashi; NPFL matchday 13 opens with Shooting Stars v Bendel Insurance.
- Tuesday 17 Nov: Tanzania v Nigeria in Zanzibar; Olympic Eagles’ return leg in Ikenne.
- 15-22 Nov: ATP Finals in Turin.
Not sure where to watch? Our guide on how to watch the Super Eagles lists the official options.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Nigeria v Tanzania?
Friday 13 November at 5pm Nigerian time (4pm UK) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Why is Osimhen not playing for Nigeria?
He had knee surgery after an injury against Stuttgart on 3 November and was left out of the squad. Galatasaray describe the problem as chronic.
How many teams qualify from Nigeria’s group?
Effectively one besides Tanzania, who are already qualified as co-hosts. Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are fighting for that spot.
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.
