The Super Eagles of Nigeria began their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign on a winning note with a 2-1 win against the Barea of Madagascar on Friday night, reports www.aclsports.com.
Eri Chelle’s men were semifinalists at the last edition in Morocco, and with a keen desire to do one better at next year’s continental showpiece, continued their fine form with a comeback 2-1 win at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali started in goal for the first time since the AFCON, while Ola Aina was also trusted at right-back, having missed that AFCON due to injury. Newboy George Ilenikhena, in the absence of Victor Osimhen, started up front alongside Akor Adams.
It was a slow start to the game on a rainy evening in Uyo, but the visitors soon seized the opportunity to get themselves in front. A short corner was well worked for Eshan Kari to head home from Ryan Ponti’s cross as the Super Eagles defence went to sleep.
After going behind, Nigeria started dominating the game, but they barely tested goalkeeper Geordan Dupire. Lookman and AKor Adams should have done better with the chances they got, while a lack of communication between the attacking players saw another chance go begging.
In first-half stoppage time, Nigeria found themselves level through Ilenikhena, making amends for his earlier miss. Iwobi’s fine pass into the final third found its way to the forward after a dummy from Ademola Lookman, and the Saudi-based forward picked his spot for his debut goal.
After the break and the scores levelled, Nigeria added a bit of urgency to their game but they nearly fell behind after they left spaces behind with goalkeeper Nwabali coming to the rescue.
Chelle then turned to his bench to introduce Moses Simon, who was making his 100th cap for the Super Eagles and LASK winger Moses Usor for the duo of Akor Adams and Samuel Chukwueze. Just five minutes after coming on, Usor produced a fine run after a defensive clearance from Semi Ajayi to put Nigeria in front with a low strike beyond the goalkeeper.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare then struck the woodwork late on, but Nigeria went ahead to secure the win and begin the journey to another AFCON with a win on home soil.
In the other group game. Guinea-Bissau, who Nigeria will be facing on Tuesday, defeated already-qualified Tanzania 2-0 away from home. on match day one of the qualification series.
