Nigeria Super Eagles came from a goal down to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in their opening game of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifiers played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Two players making their debut for the country in the game scored the two goals to give the team a winning start after Guinea Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 earlier in the day.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play through centre back, Ehsan Kari, who beat the offside trap to nod the ball beyond the reach of returning goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, in the 16th minute to send the home team’s fans into total silence.
Super Eagles however regroup and continue to press for the equaliser. Akor Adams had the ball in the net in the 33rd minute but was ruled out for an infringement on the goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles however got the goal their performance deserved when debutant, George Ilenikhena, scored on his first start, taking his time to place the ball beyond the goalkeeper in the added time of the first half off Alex Iwobi pass.
He almost got his second a minute later as his header went wide with the first half ending one goal apiece.
Nigeria started the second half the same way as the first but the opposition continued to threaten on a counter and almost took the lead in the 50th minute with Stanley Nwabali coming to the team’s rescue.
Moses Usor made his debut coming in for Samuel Chukwueze in the 61st minute and secured the win with his goal in the 65th minute via a beautiful outside shot as Nigeria ran away with a 2-1 win.
The team will face Guinea Bissau on Tuesday in Morocco as they look forward to securing the sole ticket in the group.
AFCON Qualifiers
Results
Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar
Tanzania 0-2 Guinea Bissau
Niger 2-1 Lesotho
Malawi 2-1 South Sudan
Gambia 2-1 Somalia
Togo 1-0 Burundi
Mozambique 1-1 Senegal
Sudan 1-0 Ethiopia
Rwanda 3-1 Liberia
UEFA Nations League
Georgia 0-1 Northern Ireland
Armenia 2-0 Latvia
