Arokodare’s Goals Keep Eagles’ AFCON Dream Alive

Tolu Arokodare’s two goals in the second half helped the Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday. This win keeps Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alive.

With this victory, Nigeria moves to second place in Group L with six points. Guinea-Bissau leads with seven points. Madagascar is in third place with two points, while Tanzania sits at the bottom with one point.

Alhassan Yusuf scored first for Nigeria in the second minute. He finished a nice play that started when Akor Adams won the ball. Ademola Lookman then set up Yusuf for the goal. Tanzania fought back and equalized in the 32nd minute. Novatus Miroshi took the ball from captain Wilfred Ndidi and assisted Alphonce Msanga for their goal.

Before halftime, Nigeria faced another problem. Lookman went down with a suspected hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Moses Simon. This forced head coach Eric Chelle to make changes before the second half.

Chelle changed the game by bringing on Arokodare and Moses Usor for Tochukwu Nnadi and Yusuf. The Ajax striker quickly made an impact, scoring in the 52nd minute. He flicked the ball in after Usor found Ndidi, who set it back for him. Arokodare scored again just minutes later, taking a pass from Usor and shooting through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Adams and Usor both came close to scoring a fourth goal. Arokodare almost got a hat-trick but was stopped by goalkeeper Aishi Manula. Stanley Nwabali also made an important save to deny Tanzania’s substitute Shekhani Khamis late in the game. Benjamin Fredrick was stretchered off with an injury, adding to Chelle's worries.

This win is a big boost for Nigeria after their earlier 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania has already qualified for the tournament automatically as co-hosts. Now Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar will battle for the last ticket from this group.

The Super Eagles will face Tanzania again at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17. The match will kick off at 2pm Nigerian time.