Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved back into contention in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group with a 3-1 victory over Tanzania in Uyo on Friday, as Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score twice after Alhassan Yusuf had given the hosts an early lead.
The result lifted Eric Chelle’s side to six points in Group L, leaving them just one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau. It also offered an important response after their disappointing 3-0 defeat to the same opponents in September, which had put pressure on their qualifying campaign.
But while Nigeria eventually secured a comfortable-looking victory, the contest was far from straightforward, with Tanzania recovering from an early setback to take the game into half-time level.
The Super Eagles needed only two minutes to take the lead at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Ademola Lookman provided the assist after Akor Adams won possession and laid the ball into his path. Lookman then picked out Yusuf, who finished to put Nigeria ahead and give the home supporters an early reason to celebrate.
Nigeria continued to press, but Tanzania gradually found their way into the contest. Nathaniel Chilambo threatened with a forward run around the half hour mark, although his effort failed to trouble Stanley Nwabali.
The visitors drew level in the 32nd minute through Alphonce Msanga, punishing Nigeria after Wilfred Ndidi lost possession.
Novatus Miroshi collected the ball during the counterattack and supplied Msanga, who got past Calvin Bassey before finishing beyond Nwabali.
The equaliser changed the mood of the contest, and Nigeria were unable to restore their advantage before the interval. Their problems were compounded when Lookman went off injured five minutes before half time, with Moses Simon introduced in his place.
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Nigeria made two further changes at the interval, bringing on Arokodare and Moses Usor for Yusuf and Tochukwu Nnadi.
The substitutions quickly transformed the contest. Arokodare restored Nigeria’s lead in the 52nd minute, getting on the end of Ndidi’s delivery from the right and flicking the ball beyond the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
The forward then struck again eight minutes later to give the Super Eagles breathing space.
Usor, who had also entered the game at half-time, supplied the dangerous cross that Tanzania failed to deal with. The loose ball fell to Arokodare, whose low left-footed effort went underneath the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
It was a decisive contribution from the two substitutes, with Arokodare turning a tight contest into a more comfortable afternoon for the hosts.
Nigeria continued to threaten. Akor Adams had an effort blocked after Usor tested the goalkeeper, while Arokodare came close to completing his hattrick in the 86th minute after being played through on goal. The Tanzanian goalkeeper, however, denied him a third.
Tanzania threaten, but Nigeria hold firm
Despite falling two goals behind, Tanzania did not abandon their attacking approach. They pushed forward in search of a way back into the game and came close in the 72nd minute, only for Bassey to produce an important block to prevent a goal-bound effort.
Another opportunity arrived with nine minutes remaining when a header from a dangerous delivery drifted narrowly wide after Nwabali had come off his line to punch.
Nigeria managed the closing stages without conceding again. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replaced Adams in the 78th minute, while Semi Ajayi came on for Ola Aina during stoppage time.
The Super Eagles finished with 65 per cent possession and seven shots on target from 13 attempts, compared with Tanzania’s two efforts on target from eight attempts.
Super Eagles close the gap in Group L
The victory takes Nigeria to six points from three matches, one behind Guinea-Bissau, who remain top of Group L after drawing 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday.
Madagascar sit third with two points, while Tanzania have one point. However, Tanzania have already secured their place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, although they remain involved in the qualifying competition.
Nigeria began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar before suffering the damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in September. Friday’s result has therefore given Chelle’s team a chance to regain momentum ahead of the return fixture.
The Super Eagles will face Tanzania again in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17, knowing that another positive result would strengthen their position in the race for qualification.
