Nigeria’s Super Eagles revived their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a crucial 3-1 victory over the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Friday evening at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in Matchday 3 of Group L of the qualifiers.

The win, which came in front of a lively home crowd in Uyo, was a much-needed response for Nigeria after the team’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the previous window in September, a result that had left the Super Eagles playing catch-up in the group and under intense pressure going into today’s encounter.

Coach Eric Chelle’s side went into the match knowing that anything short of victory would seriously damage their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON to be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and the team delivered when it mattered most with a professional and determined performance across both halves.

Nigeria made the perfect start to the game and took the lead in just the second minute through midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who finished off a brilliant team move to send the Uyo crowd into wild jubilation and give the Super Eagles the dream start they desperately needed to settle their nerves.

The goal originated from Akor Adams who won possession in midfield before finding Ademola Lookman, who showed great awareness and vision to cleverly lay the ball into the path of the advancing Yusuf, who slotted home calmly past the Tanzanian goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the early stages.

Despite taking the early lead, Nigeria failed to build on their advantage and struggled to establish full control of the game in the first half, with Tanzania, who are already assured of a place at the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, growing in confidence and creating problems for the Super Eagles defence with their direct and energetic play.

Tanzania’s persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when they restored parity against the run of play through Alphonce Msanga, who punished Nigeria after the hosts failed to protect their early advantage and were caught napping at the back, to make it 1-1 and silence the home supporters momentarily.

The first half ended 1-1, with both teams heading into the dressing rooms with everything to play for in the second half, but it was obvious that Nigeria needed greater attacking precision, defensive concentration and tactical discipline after the restart if they were to reclaim the lead and secure the vital three points.

Coach Eric Chelle acted swiftly and decisively at the break, turning to his bench and introducing striker Tolu Arokodare and winger Moses Usor at the start of the second half, a double substitution that completely changed the complexion of the game and proved to be the masterstroke that won the match for Nigeria.

The substitutions paid off almost immediately as Arokodare, the Ajax Amsterdam forward who came off the bench to replace Akor Adams, announced his presence in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish to restore Nigeria’s lead, converting a clever assist from captain Wilfred Ndidi to make it 2-1.

The goal was a well-worked one, as Ndidi, who was leading the team in the absence of several senior players, delivered a precise ball into the box and Arokodare, showing great striker’s instinct and composure, headed home or fired home to give the Super Eagles the lead again and restore confidence in the team.

Just eight minutes later, in the 60th minute, the two substitutes combined again to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors, as Moses Usor provided a delightful cross from the flank and Arokodare was on hand to fire home his second goal of the evening and complete his brace to make it 3-1 for Nigeria.

The second goal from Arokodare effectively killed off Tanzania’s resistance and gave the Super Eagles breathing space and a two-goal cushion, as the Taifa Stars struggled to find a response and create clear-cut chances in the final half hour despite making their own attacking changes in search of a comeback.

For Arokodare, who has been in impressive form for Ajax this season, the brace was particularly significant as he stepped up in the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, who was sidelined by a knee injury and missed today’s qualifier, proving that Nigeria has adequate cover and depth in the attacking department.

According to reports from the match, the Super Eagles controlled significant portions of the game in terms of possession but had been wasteful in the final third in the first half, until the introduction of Arokodare provided the clinical edge and cutting finishing that the team had lacked throughout the opening 45 minutes.

The victory eases the pressure on Coach Eric Chelle, who has been under scrutiny following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing the African playoff to DR Congo and the team’s inconsistent form that has seen just one victory in the last five internationals before today’s win.

With the three points secured today, Nigeria moved to second in Group L with six points, one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau who were held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar on Matchday 3, while Tanzania remain bottom of the group despite already having qualified automatically as tournament co-hosts.

Speaking after the match, Coach Chelle praised his players for their response and character, especially the impact of the substitutes, noting that the early goal was important but the team lost concentration which allowed Tanzania to equalize, but the second half performance showed the quality and depth in the squad.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, who provided the assist for the second goal, was commended for his leadership and composure in midfield, anchoring the team and providing the crucial pass that restored Nigeria’s lead at a time when the game was hanging in the balance and the team needed inspiration from its leaders.

For Tanzania, coached by Miguel Angel Gamondi, the defeat means they are yet to claim their first-ever victory over Nigeria, having drawn two and lost four of their previous six meetings with the Super Eagles, including a 2-1 defeat when both sides met on Matchday 1 of the 2025 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

Despite the defeat, the Taifa Stars, who were without injured duo Clement Mzize and Dickson Job, gave a good account of themselves and showed why they will be competitive when they co-host the tournament in 2027, with Alphonce Msanga’s equalizer highlighting their ability to punish defensive lapses.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has described the 3-1 victory as a crucial and important response for the Super Eagles, noting that the team showed resilience, tactical flexibility and fighting spirit to come back from conceding an equalizer and win convincingly in front of their home fans in Uyo.

The focus now shifts to the return fixture between both countries, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, in Zanzibar, as part of a November double-header, where Nigeria will again need maximum points to boost their chances of topping Group L and securing automatic qualification for AFCON 2027.

As celebrations continue in Uyo and across Nigeria tonight, fans have taken to social media to praise Tolu Arokodare for his match-winning brace, Alhassan Yusuf for his early opener, and the tactical changes by Eric Chelle, with many saying the Super Eagles have finally rediscovered their scoring touch at the right time.