UYO, Nigeria — Two debutants scored as the Super Eagles came from behind to defeat Madagascar 2-1 and open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a victory.
George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor overturned an early deficit at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, September 25, 2026, giving Nigeria three points in a competitive Group L.
Madagascar went ahead in the 16th minute when defender Ehsan Kari headed home after a short-corner routine.
Nigeria, playing without injured striker Victor Osimhen, struggled to break down the visitors for much of the opening half.
The equaliser finally arrived in first-half stoppage time.
Alex Iwobi split the Madagascar defence with a pass to Ilenikhena, who controlled the ball inside the penalty area and finished into the bottom corner for his first senior international goal.
Usor, introduced after the break in place of Samuel Chukwueze, completed the comeback in the 65th minute.
The LASK winger carried the ball forward from the right, cut inside the Madagascar defence, and beat the goalkeeper at the near post to score on his own Super Eagles debut.
Nigeria protected the advantage through the closing stages to secure Éric Chelle’s side a winning start to the qualifying campaign.
Guinea-Bissau Up Next
The victory leaves Nigeria level on three points with Guinea-Bissau, who defeated Tanzania 2-0 away from home in the other Group L opener.
The Super Eagles travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.
That match carries additional significance because Tanzania have already qualified automatically for the 2027 tournament as one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Under the qualifying arrangement, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar are competing to finish as the highest-ranked non-host nation in Group L.
Nigeria’s victory over Madagascar therefore gives Chelle’s team an important opening advantage before its first away fixture.
