Ilenikhena, Usor earn comeback win as Simon reaches century

Debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored as the Super Eagles came from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday, opening their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with three points, Saturday PUNCH reports.

The match, played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, also carried personal significance for Moses Simon, who reached his 100th appearance for Nigeria to become only the fifth player in the country’s history to hit the milestone.

Madagascar took a shock lead in the 16th minute when Ehsan Khari headed home from a Ryan Ponti cross to cap a well-worked set piece. The goal stunned the Super Eagles, who had dominated possession without truly testing the visitors.

Nigeria pushed for an equaliser and had the ball in the net through Alex Iwobi in the 34th minute, but the effort was ruled out after Akor Adams was adjudged to have impeded the Madagascar goalkeeper.

The hosts got their reward in first-half stoppage time when Ilenikhena, leading the line in the absence of the injured Victor Osimhen, finished calmly after being played through by Iwobi to make it 1-1 at the break.

Nigeria continued to press after the interval and were almost caught out when Rayan Raveloson found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, but fluffed his effort under pressure.

The miss proved costly.

Usor, who had come on for Samuel Chukwueze, put Nigeria ahead in the 65th minute with his first goal for the Super Eagles, latching onto a pass from Semi Ajayi and finishing from the edge of the box after a driving run from inside his own half.

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Tolu Arokodare almost added a third soon after but struck the post from an Iwobi pass.

Simon’s landmark appearance came when he replaced Adams in a second-half substitution. He now sits immediately behind Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Iwobi, who are Nigeria’s only other centurions, with Musa the record holder on 110 caps.

Victor Osimhen, ruled out of both September qualifiers with a right adductor muscle injury, travelled to Uyo to support his teammates from the sidelines.

The win puts Nigeria top of Group L. Guinea-Bissau also began their campaign with a win, beating already-qualified co-hosts Tanzania 2-0 in Zanzibar through goals from Franculino Djú and Mama Baldé, though points earned against Tanzania do not count towards qualification.

The Super Eagles travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L fixture on Tuesday, September 29.