AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Defeat Tanzania in Uyo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles got back on track in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday, beating Tanzania 3-1 in their third match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare scored twice in the second half to help the Super Eagles secure an important win after Tanzania levelled the score.
This win gives Nigeria a much-needed boost in Group L, especially after their disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in the last qualifier.
Alhassan Yusuf scored for Nigeria just two minutes in, finishing off a move set up by Ademola Lookman to give the home team an early lead.
Tanzania pulled level in the 32nd minute when Alphonce Msanga scored from a pass by Novatus Miroshi, making it 1-1.
After Tanzania’s equaliser, the Super Eagles felt the pressure and couldn’t turn their early control into a bigger lead before halftime.
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With the score tied at halftime, head coach Éric Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half.
Arokodare and Moses Usor came on for Tochukwu Nnadi and Yusuf, and these changes made a big difference.
Arokodare put Nigeria back in front in the 52nd minute, scoring after a pass from captain Wilfred Ndidi to make it 2-1.
Eight minutes later, Arokodare scored again, this time on a pass from fellow substitute Usor, to extend Nigeria’s lead.
Those two goals gave the Super Eagles control of the game and secured all three points in front of their home fans.
Arokodare’s performance stood out, as he showed his value after coming on at the start of the second half.
His two goals changed the game for Nigeria, who had been struggling after Tanzania’s equaliser.
Bringing him and Usor on gave the Super Eagles new attacking options and helped them regain control.
Coach Chelle will be pleased with how his substitutes performed, especially since Nigeria needed a quick response after their loss to Guinea-Bissau.
The win also gave the coaches a chance to assess their attacking options ahead of the next match.
