The Super Eagles opened their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign the hard way in Uyo, falling behind from a corner before George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor turned the night around in a 2-1 win over Madagascar, Footynaija.com reports.
Eric Chelle’s side dominated the ball and wasted enough chances to make the Godswill Akpabio Stadium restless. Madagascar still led in the 16th minute when Ehsan Kari headed in Ryan Ponti’s delivery after Alex Iwobi conceded the corner.
Ilenikhena, starting on his senior debut with Victor Osimhen out, levelled in first-half stoppage time from Iwobi’s pass. Usor, on for Samuel Chukwueze, finished a break that Semi Ajayi started and gave Nigeria the three points this Group L start demanded.
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Here are the Super Eagles players ratings from a messy but valuable 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo.
Stanley Nwabali — 6.5
Had little to do after the early set-piece goal and organised a back line that rarely opened up again. The Chippa United keeper will want a cleaner first ball on corners.
Ola Aina — 6
The Nottingham Forest full-back lasted 87 minutes on his first Super Eagles start since the hamstring injury against South Africa last September. He helped create Chukwueze’s early blocked shot, then faded as the legs tightened.
Semi Ajayi — 7
Won the ball that sent Usor through for the winner and generally won his duels. The Hull centre-back still gave Madagascar a late corner they nearly used.
Calvin Bassey — 7
The Fulham defender kept Abdallah quiet, won free-kicks, and planted a header that Geordan Dupire saved from Lookman’s cross. Steady without fuss.
Bruno Onyemaechi — 6
The Olympiakos left-back whipped in the first-minute cross Ilenikhena dragged wide and kept offering width. Too many cheap fouls broke Nigeria’s rhythm.
Wilfred Ndidi — 6.5
The Besiktas captain marked his 80th cap with the usual covering, then missed three headed and long-range chances that a more clinical midfielder buries.
Alex Iwobi — 7.5
Created the equaliser, slipped Arokodare onto the post, and kept finding runners from midfield. The Fulham man also gave away the corner for Madagascar’s goal, which is the only mark against an otherwise driving display.
George Ilenikhena — 8
The Al-Ittihad striker scored on debut, hitting Iwobi’s pass into the bottom corner after an earlier saved stab and two headers over the bar. That goal changed the dressing room at half-time.
Samuel Chukwueze — 6.5
The AC Milan winger supplied the crosses for Ndidi and Ilenikhena before Chelle hooked him on 61 minutes. Plenty of delivery, not enough end product.
Substitutes
Moses Usor — 10.0
On for Chukwueze and needed four minutes. The LASK forward missed one from Simon’s cross, then drove Ajayi’s break into the far corner.
Moses Simon — 6.5
Gave Usor the first sight of goal and later skewed Iwobi’s pull-back wide. Useful legs after Adams went off.
Tolu Arokodare — 6.5
The Ajax loanee came on for Lookman and smashed the left post from Iwobi’s pass. Another inch and the night is comfortable.
Taiwo Awoniyi — 6
The Coventry striker replaced Ilenikhena and spent his cameo holding the ball up. Late foul in stoppage time was his loudest moment.
Bright Osayi-Samuel — N/A
Three minutes plus stoppage after Aina went off. Not enough to mark.
