The Super Eagles of Nigeria kicked off their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Friday. The team, led by Eric Chell, secured all three points in a challenging match, coming from behind to achieve a second-half turnaround. The win was marked by standout performances from some players, while others struggled to make an impact.
Alex Iwobi was a key figure in Nigeria's attacking efforts, creating the highest number of chances and delivering 27 passes into Madagascar's defensive third. One of his notable passes led to George Ilenikhena's equalizer, showcasing his influence on the game. Fulham central midfielder Iwobi's performance was a significant factor in Nigeria's positive forays forward.
Calvin Bassey was another standout performer for the Super Eagles, impressing with his defensive skills and attacking runs. The central defender had the highest number of passes in the match with 94% accuracy and made surging runs forward that created an extra man in attack. He also won the highest number of ground duels and made two crucial interceptions.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali played a decisive role in Nigeria's defense, making a crucial save from Rayan Raveloson to deny Madagascar a second goal. This save laid the platform for Nigeria's eventual winner. Nwabali, back in the team for the first time since AFCON 2025, made several important saves to keep Nigeria in the game before Moses Usor scored the winning goal.
Despite Iwobi, Bassey, and Nwabali's impressive performances, some players struggled to make an impact. Samuel Chukwueze, who has excelled at AC Milan, had a disappointing game, failing to hit the target with his shots and managing only one blocked shot. He was substituted early in the second half, indicating a below-par performance.
Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also failed to impress, with Lookman managing just two shots and 0.13xG against Madagascar. Adams, playing for Venezia, posted no shots on target and had two blocked shots from four attempts. Both players looked out of sorts and struggled to find better-placed teammates in Madagascar's penalty area.
The win marks a positive start to Nigeria's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, with Iwobi, Bassey, and Nwabali emerging as key performers. The team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. The Super Eagles' next challenge will be to maintain their form and secure more crucial points in the qualifying campaign.
Key points
- Iwobi, Bassey, and Nwabali were standout performers for the Super Eagles in their 2-1 win over Madagascar.
- Chukwueze, Lookman, and Adams struggled to make an impact in the match.
- The win marks a positive start to Nigeria's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
