Nigeria Beat Madagascar 2-1 In Tense AFCON Qualifiers Clash
Image: Luigi Chiesa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nigeria opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, and two debutants stole the show in the process.
George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor both scored on their first appearances for the Super Eagles, cancelling out an early Madagascar lead and settling nerves inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
That victory carries real weight given how tight Group L already looks. Tanzania have already secured their spot at next year's finals as co-hosts, which means Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively fighting over just one remaining qualification place.
Consequently, dropping points at home on matchday one would have dealt Eric Chelle's rebuilding project an early, painful blow.
Beyond Uyo, several other nations kicked off their own qualifying campaigns across the continent on Friday. Let's break down how Nigeria's win unfolded before zooming out to the wider AFCON qualifiers picture.
Nigeria Come From Behind To Beat Madagascar
Madagascar stunned the home crowd inside 16 minutes when Ehsan Kari beat Nigeria's offside trap from a short corner routine, heading past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Despite dominating possession beforehand, the Super Eagles suddenly found themselves chasing the game against the run of play.
Ilenikhena restored parity right on the stroke of half time, latching onto an Alex Iwobi pass before slotting home confidently. Usor then completed the turnaround midway through the second half, needing just four minutes after coming off the bench to cut inside two defenders and fire home a brilliant solo effort.
- Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time after being set up by Alex Iwobi
- Usor scored the winner just four minutes after replacing Samuel Chukwueze
- Nigeria dominated second-half territory, recording 21 touches inside Madagascar's box early on
Debutants Provide The Spark Chelle Needed
Both goalscorers made history in their own right. Ilenikhena and Usor became the 32nd and 33rd debutants handed a first cap under Chelle since his January 2025 appointment, and remarkably, both scored immediately. That feat pushes Nigeria's all-time list of goalscoring debutants beyond 60 players, joining legendary names stretching back to Teslim Balogun in 1949. Fittingly, injured captain Victor Osimhen watched proudly from the stands as his young replacement wearing the number nine shirt announced himself in style.
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Warning Signs Remain Despite The Win
Not everything pleased Nigerian fans, however. Nwabali hesitated badly on Madagascar's opening goal, appealing for offside rather than attempting a save, and Chelle's front-heavy starting eleven left considerable gaps in midfield throughout. Ndidi frequently pushed too far forward, forcing Iwobi into unfamiliar defensive cover duties, and Madagascar exploited that imbalance repeatedly on the counter-attack.
Nwabali partially redeemed himself with a crucial second-half save to deny Rayan Raveloson, yet questions about Nigeria's defensive setup will likely follow the team into their next fixture.
Group L Picture Remains Wide Open
Nigeria's win matters even more given Friday's other Group L result. Guinea-Bissau beat already-qualified Tanzania 2-0 on the same day, proving that Chelle's side cannot afford any complacency going forward. The Super Eagles now travel to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, a genuine six-pointer that could shape the entire group's remaining direction.
How The Rest Of The Continent Fared
Elsewhere across Africa, several notable qualifying stories also unfolded on matchday one. Patrick Vieira endured a mixed start as Senegal's new coach, watching his side draw 1-1 away in Mozambique despite Nicolas Jackson's early opener. That result leaves the Teranga Lions trailing Sudan in Group J after the Falcons of Jediane beat Ethiopia 1-0.
- Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 2-0 in Bouake, with Brighton's Malick Yalcouye among the scorers
- Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1 on home turf in Garoua
- DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa
What Comes Next For Nigeria
Nigeria's rebuild under Chelle continues unbeaten in competitive fixtures, yet Friday's performance suggested plenty of work remains before facing sterner tests later in the campaign. With Guinea-Bissau waiting on Tuesday, followed eventually by fixtures against Tanzania and Uganda, every point across this qualifying group looks set to matter enormously before East Africa's 2027 finals arrive.
Also Read: Nigeria at 2026 Commonwealth Games: Medal Tally and Winners
