Nigeria’s Super Eagles revived their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Friday, November 13, 2026, claiming a 3–1 victory over Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Kicking off at 5:00 p.m. WAT before a home crowd, the three-time African champions bounced back from September’s disappointing 3–0 away loss to Guinea-Bissau courtesy of a decisive second-half brace from substitute striker Tolu Arokodare.
Nigeria wasted little time asserting early dominance, breaking the deadlock in the 2nd minute when midfielder Alhassan Yusuf fired home from an Ademola Lookman assist.
Despite maintaining the bulk of early possession, the Super Eagles gradually lost momentum, allowing Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to draw level in the 32nd minute through Alphonce Msanga to send both teams into the interval tied at 1–1.
Sensing the need for fresh attacking impetus, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle introduced Ajax forward Tolu Arokodare for Tochukwu Nnadi and winger Moses Usor for Yusuf at the start of the second half.
The double substitution yielded immediate dividends just seven minutes after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Arokodare restored Nigeria’s lead with an inventive backheel finish inside the penalty area after latching onto a cutback pass from captain Wilfred Ndidi.
Eight minutes later, in the 60th minute, the towering forward sealed his brace by slotting home from close range off a crisp, low cross delivered from the left flank by fellow substitute Usor. From that point onward, Nigeria controlled 65 percent of possession and registered 13 total shots, seven on target, to comfortably see out the 3–1 result.
Addressing reporters at the post-match press conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, head coach Éric Chelle commended Arokodare’s clinical instincts in front of goal while reminding his players that work remained ahead of the return leg. “His strength is in the box. When you bring the ball into the box, he’s maybe actually the best striker,” Chelle said.
The Franco-Malian tactician, however, admitted that his side’s first-half lapse highlighted areas requiring immediate attention. “There are a lot of good things, but there are some bad things. We are not perfect. We have a few days to correct everything,” he added. “We have to go to Tanzania to win this game. The most important is the next game.”
The win lifts Nigeria to second place in Group L with six points from three matches, sitting just one point behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau on seven points following Guinea-Bissau’s 1–1 draw against Madagascar in Meknes on Thursday, November 12.
Tanzania, who have already secured automatic qualification as co-hosts of the 2027 finals alongside Kenya and Uganda, remain in the group for competitive preparation. Both sides will renew hostilities on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, when they clash in the Matchday 4 reverse fixture at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
