Super Eagles has opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, overturning an early deficit to claim a valuable three points in Group L.
Coach Eric Chelle’s side stumbled out of the blocks and fell behind in the 16th minute when Ehsan Kari rose above the Nigerian defense to head Madagascar into the lead, beating goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and silencing the home crowd.
The Super Eagles then spent much of the opening half chasing the game, rarely troubling Madagascar goalkeeper Geordan Dupire beyond a speculative effort from the right flank in the 28th minute and a Wilfred Ndidi header that sailed over the bar a minute later.
Read also on New Daily Prime:
Super Eagles set for AFCON 2027 qualifying opener against Madagascar in Uyo
Super Eagles set for AFCON 2027 qualifying opener against Madagascar in Uyo
Eric Chelle stays optimistic despite Eagles draw with Zimbabwe
Nigeria thought they had drawn level in the 33rd minute when Alex Iwobi bundled the ball home from inside the box, but the referee chalked off the goal, pointing to a foul by Akor Adams on Dupire in the build-up.
The setback didn’t derail the hosts for long. Debutant George Ilenikhena stepped up in first-half stoppage time, latching onto an Iwobi pass before driving a composed finish past Dupire to send both sides into the break level at 1-1 and mark his first international appearance with a goal.
Chelle’s men emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, dominating territory and dragging Madagascar deep into their own third. Nigeria racked up 21 touches inside the visitors’ box in the early exchanges of the second period, dwarfing Madagascar’s tally of just three over the same stretch.
Madagascar nearly snatched the lead back in the 51st minute when Rayan Raveloson threatened Nwabali’s goal, but the Nigerian goalkeeper reacted quickly to dispossess him and snuff out the danger.
Chelle turned to his bench in the 61st minute, withdrawing Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams for Moses Usor and Moses Simon in search of fresh legs and a spark going forward.
The substitution paid off almost instantly, as Usor needed only a few minutes to make his mark, converting Nigeria’s second goal of the afternoon and putting the Super Eagles ahead for the first time in the match.
Chelle continued to reshape his attack, sending on Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare in the 69th minute to add further firepower as Nigeria pushed to see out the win.
The victory lifts Nigeria to second in Group L on three points, sitting just behind Guinea-Bissau on goal difference after both sides won their openers.
Tanzania occupy the bottom of the table on zero points but have already secured their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, meaning the remaining qualification spot from the group will come down to a straight fight between Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar.
Attention now turns quickly to Nigeria’s next assignment, a trip to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29, a fixture that will effectively decide who controls top spot in the group heading into the remaining qualifiers.
