Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening, as the Super Eagles returned to winning ways in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Half-time substitute Tolu Arokodare was the match-winner, scoring twice in the space of eight minutes after the break to settle a game that had been level at the interval.
The victory lifts Nigeria to six points from three Group L matches, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, and puts Eric Chelle’s side back in the race for the group’s only open qualification ticket ahead of Tuesday’s return leg in Zanzibar.
A dream start, then a familiar wobble
Nigeria could hardly have started better. Inside two minutes, Ademola Lookman picked out midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who finished the move to put the hosts in front and send the Uyo crowd into celebration.
Chelle had named a side captained by Wilfred Ndidi, with Stanley Nwabali in goal, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Frederick, Ola Aina and Abdullahi Buwene across the back, and Tochukwu Nnadi handed a start on his home debut. Lookman and Akor Adams led the attack, with star striker Victor Osimhen missing after knee surgery.
Tanzania, however, refused to fold. Shortly after the half-hour mark, Ndidi was dispossessed in midfield and Alphonce Msanga took advantage of loose defending to level the score at 1-1. Things got worse for Nigeria just before half-time when Lookman went down injured and had to be replaced by Moses Simon. The extent of the forward’s injury was not immediately clear.
Arokodare changes the game
Chelle responded at the break by sending on Arokodare and Chidera Usor, and the changes paid off almost immediately. In the 52nd minute, Arokodare met a delivery from Ndidi with a clever flicked finish to restore Nigeria’s lead.
Eight minutes later the tall striker, who plays his club football for Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, struck again, this time converting a pass from fellow substitute Usor to make it 3-1. Nigeria then managed the remaining half-hour without major alarm to collect all three points.
For Arokodare, who was crowned top scorer in the Belgian Pro League with Genk in 2024-25, the brace strengthens his case for a regular starting role while Osimhen is out of action.
How Group L stands
The win was vital after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Nigeria’s previous qualifier. The Super Eagles had opened the campaign with a 2-1 home win over Madagascar.
Group L has an unusual shape. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the finals as one of the three co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda, which means only one other side from the group can qualify. That leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar fighting for a single ticket. Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday, now sit on seven points.
Tanzania, coached by Miguel Ángel Gamondi, remain without a win in the group but will be relaxed about their place at the tournament, which is scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027 across East Africa.
What happens next
The two sides meet again on Tuesday, 17 November, when Nigeria travel to Zanzibar for the reverse fixture. Another win would keep the pressure firmly on Guinea-Bissau going into the final round of qualifiers, which is expected to conclude in March 2027.
Chelle’s immediate concern will be Lookman’s fitness. Losing both Osimhen and Lookman for the trip to East Africa would leave the Super Eagles leaning heavily on Arokodare, Akor Adams and Moses Simon for goals. Supporters will also want to see the defence tighten up after Tanzania’s equaliser came from a lapse in concentration.
For now, though, the mood in the camp should be considerably lighter than it was after the setback in Bissau. Nigeria have six points, a striker in form and a clear target: win in Zanzibar and keep the qualification race alive.
Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times, Naija News, Bold Sports, The Eagle Online, ACLSports.
