Nigeria’s Super Eagles delivered a much-needed statement victory on Matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers, defeating Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
The result lifts Eric Chelle’s side in Group L and sets up an intriguing second leg in Zanzibar next Tuesday.?
Alhassan Yusuf fired Nigeria ahead in the second minute, capitalising on early pressure with an assist from Ademola Lookman. Tanzania hit back on 32 minutes through Alphonce Msanga to level at 1-1. The Super Eagles restored control after the break thanks to clinical impact from the bench.
Tolu Arokodare, introduced at half-time, scored twice in eight minutes (52’ and 60’) to seal the 3-1 win. One of the goals came via a delivery from fellow substitute Moses Usor, underlining the game-changing quality of Chelle’s changes.?
The night belonged to the substitutes. Arokodare, the Ajax striker in fine club form, answered the call in the absence of Victor Osimhen and immediately punished Tanzania’s defence.
His brace transformed a tense contest into a controlled home win and gave Nigeria vital momentum ahead of the return fixture.
Moses Simon also made a significant contribution after replacing the injured Lookman just before half-time.
The experienced winger injected pace, width and creativity down the flank, helping stretch the Taifa Stars and create the platform for Arokodare’s goals. Their combined impact turned the tide when the Super Eagles needed it most.?
Lookman’s early exit was a major talking point. The Atlético Madrid forward went down without contact late in the first half, received treatment and was substituted for Simon.
He left the pitch limping, raising concerns about a possible muscular issue. With the second leg in Zanzibar just four days away, his availability will be closely monitored. The injury adds to Nigeria’s attacking considerations already without Osimhen.?
Despite the positive result, the atmosphere inside the Nest of Champions was muted. Large sections of the stands remained sparsely filled, a reflection of tickets still being on general sale close to kick-off and limited advance mobilisation.
The small crowd was noticeable even as the Super Eagles built their lead, a recurring challenge for home qualifiers that the Nigeria Football Federation will hope to address for future matches.
The victory puts Nigeria on six points from three games and keeps them firmly in the hunt for the sole remaining qualification place in Group L. Tanzania, already assured of a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts, offered spirited resistance but ultimately could not contain the second-half surge.
The return leg in Zanzibar on 17 November now becomes a high-stakes opportunity for the Super Eagles to push for maximum points and close the gap on group leaders Guinea-Bissau.
Arokodare’s clinical finishing and Simon’s energetic introduction provided the spark Nigeria needed. With three points secured and a clear performance boost from the bench, Chelle’s side head to Zanzibar with renewed belief that their AFCON 2027 qualification campaign is back on track.
The Super Eagles will look to build on this result and silence any lingering doubts about their consistency in the remaining fixtures.
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