Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman will miss Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Tanzania on Tuesday, November 16, following a knee ligament injury.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the development on Saturday after medical scans revealed the extent of the injury sustained by the Atletico Madrid forward during Friday’s 3-1 victory over Tanzania in Uyo.

The Super Eagles media team also announced the diagnosis in an official statement, confirming that Lookman would not be available for the return fixture in Zanzibar.

“Scan has revealed Ademola Lookman suffered a sprain in his knee ligament during yesterday’s match. This rules him out of Nigeria’s next AFCON qualifier versus Tanzania in Zanzibar on Tuesday,” the team stated.

Lookman featured in the starting lineup for the Group L encounter and provided the assist for Alhassan Yusuf’s second-minute opener.

However, the 28-year-old was forced off in the 44th minute after experiencing discomfort in his knee. He was subsequently replaced by Moses Simon.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle had expressed concerns about the forward’s condition after the match, revealing that Lookman initially felt pain while attempting to take a shot before sustaining another knock to the same knee.

Meanwhile, Chelle confirmed that defenders Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick were in good physical condition after recovering from cramps suffered during the encounter.

The Nigerian tactician also commended substitute Tolu Arokodare for his impressive contribution, after the striker scored twice in the second half to secure all three points for the Super Eagles.

Chelle attributed Arokodare’s impact to his physical strength and ability to attack crosses, particularly after Nigeria adopted a more direct attacking approach in the second half.

“When you put the ball inside the box, maybe actually he is the best striker,” Chelle said.

Nigeria will travel to face Tanzania at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm Nigerian time.

The Super Eagles currently have six points from three matches in Group L, one point behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau, as they continue their push to qualify for the 2027 AFCON tournament.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports alleging that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is planning to resign from office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The commission described the claim as false, urging Nigerians to ignore the report, which circulated on social media alongside an image, saying it was fabricated to mislead the public.

INEC clarified its position on Saturday in a statement published on its official X account.

“The claim is FALSE, FABRICATED AND MISLEADING,” the commission stated.

It also urged Nigerians to verify information through its official communication channels before sharing unconfirmed reports.

The denial comes amid mounting criticism of Amupitan over controversies surrounding the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On November 9, the INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations from the preliminary voters’ register following a review of entries recorded during the 2025 and 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercises.

Amupitan further revealed that 54 individuals from 10 states had been identified over alleged registration irregularities and could face disciplinary measures, including prosecution.

The commission had received complaints involving suspected multiple registrations, questionable photographs and other irregularities in the voters’ register.

The controversy also followed the INEC chairman to the United Kingdom, where protesters confronted his vehicle outside Chatham House in London on Thursday.

The demonstrators, who demanded his resignation over alleged problems with the voters’ register, surrounded his vehicle as he departed a discussion on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Some protesters also called on him to step out of the vehicle and address their concerns.

During the Chatham House engagement, Amupitan acknowledged that controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections had significantly affected public confidence in INEC.

He, however, appealed to Nigerians to trust his leadership, assuring them that the commission was working to address previous challenges and improve the conduct of future elections.

The INEC chairman also announced plans to conduct a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28.

According to him, the exercise would test improvements to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 polls.

Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had introduced technical measures to prevent incorrect polling unit results and figures indicating over-voting from being uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal.

Meanwhile, INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Nigerian music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set to receive another major international honour as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame prepares to recognise him at its 2026 induction ceremony in Los Angeles, United States.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The late Afrobeat pioneer is among five entertainers selected for the Hall of Fame’s Early Influence category, alongside American rapper Queen Latifah, Cuban singer Celia Cruz, rapper MC Lyte and American singer-songwriter Gram Parsons.

The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, will attract music stars, industry executives and other notable personalities to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Other musicians selected for induction in the 2026 Performer category include Sade, Oasis, Billy Idol, Wu-Tang Clan, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order and the late Luther Vandross.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, headquartered in Cleveland, selected the inductees through a voting process involving more than 1,000 musicians, historians and music industry professionals.

However, not all the honourees are expected to attend the ceremony, as some have already confirmed their absence.

British-Nigerian singer Sade Adu’s group, Sade, announced that its members would not be present, despite expressing appreciation for the recognition.

In a statement published on the group’s website, they said, “Sorry we can’t be there in person to celebrate with the other artists. Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us.”

Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher have also ruled out attending the event.

While Noel Gallagher is expected to perform in London, Liam had previously criticised the institution and later told a fan on X that travelling to Los Angeles for the ceremony was too much trouble.

Heavy metal band Iron Maiden will also miss the event because of its ongoing tour in Australia.

Phil Collins, renowned for hit songs such as In the Air Tonight and Sussudio, is equally expected to be absent due to health challenges that have affected his ability to perform.

Meanwhile, the joint induction of Joy Division and New Order is expected to be one of the major highlights of the ceremony.

New Order was formed following the death of Joy Division’s lead singer, Ian Curtis, in 1980.

The group subsequently became a major force in alternative dance music, releasing popular tracks including Blue Monday, True Faith and Bizarre Love Triangle.

However, it remains uncertain which members of the two bands will attend the ceremony or whether New Order will perform.

American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, known for songs such as C.R.E.A.M. and Protect Ya Neck, could also use the occasion to reunite.

The group recently concluded a tour it described as its final one, although its members do not always appear together at public events.

British singer Billy Idol, on the other hand, is widely expected to attend the ceremony.

In recognition of his induction, Los Angeles declared Friday, November 13, as Billy Idol Day. The musician rose to prominence through the British punk music scene before releasing hit songs such as Dancing With Myself.

Reacting to his selection, Idol described the recognition as “a tremendous honour.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame requires artists to have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they become eligible for nomination.