2027 AFCONQ: Super Eagles’ Madagascar Win Boosts Confidence For Guinea-Bissau Clash — Ikhana

Kadiri Ikhana believes the Super Eagles’ hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their opening Group L fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has provided a timely confidence boost ahead of Tuesday’s away clash with Guinea-Bissau, Completesports.com reports.

The former Nigeria defender and 1980 AFCON winner said the team’s ability to recover from an early setback and secure all three points at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, will strengthen their belief as they prepare for another challenging qualifying encounter.

Super Eagles Show Fighting Spirit Against Madagascar

The Super Eagles recovered from an early setback to claim all three points in the feisty encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, also known as the ‘Nest of Champions’.

Also Read: AFCON 2027Q: Super Eagles Showed Strong Mentality in Hard-Fought Win Over Madagascar — Chelle

Kari Eshan put the visitors ahead 16 minutes after kick-off. However, George Ilenikhena, the 20-year-old Nigerian forward who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, restored parity in first-half stoppage time.

Moses Usor, who plays for Austrian side LASK, then scored the Super Eagles’ winning goal five minutes past the hour mark.

With two debutants playing key roles in an important victory, Ikhana, who was part of the Nigeria team that won the AFCON in 1980 with the then Green Eagles, told Completesports.com on Saturday morning that the result was a valuable one to take into the Guinea-Bissau encounter.

“First, I must congratulate the team for the win. I must also say kudos for the way they refused to drop their heads after going behind very early in the game,” Ikhana began.

“Such an early setback can destabilise a team. But the team showed courage, composure, confidence and fighting spirit to recover and get the job done.

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“I must also say kudos to the two goalscorers. I understand that this is their first Super Eagles game. It’s nice to begin one’s senior national team career on a high.

Super Eagles Must Maintain Winning Mentality

“I knew the team was going to win, but I never knew that Madagascar would offer such a level of resistance. But thank God they overcame the setback to get a win.

“It’s important to take the victory mentality into the next game, which is an away game against Guinea-Bissau. It’s going to be tough out there in Bissau, but the confidence in the Super Eagles now is going to be key in the game on Tuesday,” Ikhana, the 2003 CAF Champions League-winning coach with Enyimba, concluded.