By Ben Efe 25.9.2026
Nigeria’s Super Eagles Friday evening began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign with laboured 2-1 win over Madagascar’s Berea.
Madagascar got a dream start and for a moment Nigerian football fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom thought to themselves it was going to be another nightmare as Berea put their noses in front with an audacious headed goal.
But George Ilenikhena just before the break latched on a pass from Alex Iwobi raced on to goal and slot the ball beyond the reach of Madagascar keeper G. Dupire to level up matters just before the break.
Ehsan Kari’s opening goal for Madagascar from a delightful cross had stunned the home team and their fans, but despite keep possession and lack of creativity in the box, the Super Eagles failed to nail the visitors who in 2019 shunned them in the group stages of the AFCON in Egypt.
In the second half Madagascar almost got the second goal when Kari broke free from the centre circle, but he fluffed the chance when he failed to beat Stanley Nwabali who was simply at his mercy. Moses Nsor came in for Samuel Chukwueze and he taught the AC Milan player who had been wasteful how things should be done.
Nsor raced down the right flank after being freed by Semi Ajayi he kept his nerve after outwitting two defenders on him to slot home the second goal for the Super Eagles with a low shot from a tight angle.
The Super Eagles top group L and will travel to Bissau Tuesday to play against Guinea-Bissau.