Nigeria's Super Eagles made a winning — if unconvincing — start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Friday, coming from behind to defeat Madagascar 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, a city in southern Nigeria. Two debutants scored the goals that secured the victory, offering coach Éric Chelle some encouraging signs even as the performance raised questions about the team's overall fluency.
Madagascar, known as the Barea, drew first blood with a header from Ehsan Kari in the 15th minute, finishing off a precise cross from Ryan Ponti to silence the home crowd. The result briefly recalled Madagascar's famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt — one of the tournament's most celebrated upsets — and the visitors again demonstrated their capacity to trouble a more fancied side. Nigeria levelled just before half-time when 20-year-old George Ilenikhena, making his senior international debut after being called up for the first time by Chelle, finished with his right foot inside the area following a clever combination involving Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman. Ilenikhena plays his club football for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, having previously been at Monaco.
The Super Eagles were far from convincing after the break. Madagascar's captain Rayan Raveloson squandered a gilt-edged chance to restore the lead, finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who held his ground and made the save. Nigeria punished that miss on the hour mark when substitute Moses Usor, a winger with Austrian club LASK, scored with a composed left-footed strike to give his side their first lead of the match and seal the three points.
The win came without talisman Victor Osimhen, ruled out with a muscle injury, and his absence was felt in what was a disjointed attacking display for long periods. Chelle was nonetheless able to point to the breakthrough shown by Ilenikhena and Usor as signs of emerging depth in the squad. Nigeria now sit second in Group L, behind Guinea-Bissau on goal difference, ahead of their next qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, 29 September.
The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania — a first for the tournament — and Nigeria, absent from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, are eager to qualify for what would be their 22nd continental championship appearance. The result keeps their campaign on track, though Friday's performance suggested there is work to be done before they can be considered genuine contenders.