AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ilenikhena, Usor Give Nigeria Winning Start Against Madagascar
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ilenikhena, Usor Give Nigeria Winning Start Against Madagascar
By Akin Alade
Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a winning note after fighting back from an early deficit to defeat Madagascar 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The result was particularly significant because two players making their senior international debuts — George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor — scored the goals that turned the game around for Nigeria.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd when Ehsan Kari put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute, leaving Nigeria facing an early test in their opening Group L encounter.
The Super Eagles responded before the interval, with Ilenikhena producing a composed finish in first-half stoppage time after Alex Iwobi supplied the assist. The goal restored parity and gave Nigeria renewed momentum heading into the second half.
Nigeria continued to push after the restart and completed the turnaround in the 65th minute. Substitute Moses Usor collected possession and finished decisively to put the Super Eagles ahead for the first time.
The performances of Ilenikhena and Usor provided one of the major talking points from the match, with both newcomers immediately making an impact on the international stage. Their goals also helped Nigeria cope with the absence of Victor Osimhen, who missed the opening qualifiers because of injury.
Beyond the individual performances, the victory handed Eric Chelle’s side three valuable points at the beginning of a qualifying campaign in which there is little room for complacency. Nigeria will next travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The structure of Group L makes the next fixture particularly important. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, meaning Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the group’s additional qualifying place.
Nigeria’s comeback therefore represents more than an opening-day victory. It gives Chelle’s team an important early advantage while providing encouraging evidence that emerging players can contribute when established stars are unavailable.
With Guinea-Bissau also opening their campaign with a victory over Tanzania, the Super Eagles now face another demanding assignment in Bissau. The September 29 encounter could provide an early indication of how the Group L race will develop.
