Madagascar Coach Reveals What Changed After Nigeria’s Comeback Win
Three days after Madagascar surrendered a first-half lead to lose 2-1 to Nigeria in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, head coach Corentin Martins has pointed to a crucial missed opportunity and his team’s second-half fatigue as major reasons behind the defeat.
Madagascar stunned the Super Eagles by taking the lead through Ehsan Kari in the 16th minute, but Nigeria responded before half-time when George Ilenikhena converted Alex Iwobi’s pass in stoppage time. Moses Usor then completed the comeback in the 65th minute with an impressive individual effort.
For Martins, the turning point came shortly after the interval when Madagascar had an opportunity to restore their advantage but failed to capitalise. He said the defeat was difficult to accept because his players had competed well and had a genuine chance to make it 2-1 before Nigeria eventually took control.
However, the Madagascar coach also acknowledged that the Super Eagles’ greater exposure to high-level football became increasingly important as the match progressed. According to Martins, many of Nigeria’s players regularly compete against top opposition in leading European leagues, giving them the experience required to handle pressure in difficult moments.
The statistics from the Uyo encounter underline Nigeria’s growing control after the comeback. The Super Eagles finished with 22 attempts compared with Madagascar’s four, while Nigeria also enjoyed 54.7 per cent possession and registered 34 touches inside the opposition penalty area.
Martins admitted that Madagascar’s energy levels dropped in the second half and that Nigeria punished the mistakes that followed. His comments suggest that the Barea’s challenge was not simply about conceding two goals, but about sustaining their tactical discipline and physical intensity against a squad capable of increasing the pressure as the game wore on.
The result leaves Nigeria with three points from their opening Group L fixture, level on points with Guinea-Bissau, who defeated Tanzania 2-0. With Tanzania already assured of a place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau face a particularly demanding qualification battle.
For the Super Eagles, the comeback provides an important early boost under Eric Chelle, while Madagascar must now turn Martins’ post-match lessons into results. The Barea’s next qualifier is against Tanzania on September 29, while Nigeria travel to Guinea-Bissau on the same day.
