Nigeria’s Super Eagles came back from a goal down to beat the Barea of Madagascar to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a winning note. A sizeable crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium cheered the team to victory on Friday evening.

George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored the decisive goals on their debuts to help the Super Eagles win 2-1. Ilenikhena scored the equalizer after Madagascar’s 16th opener, while Usor, off a brilliant individual effort, scored the winner five minutes after the hour mark.

However, the overall performance left a little to be desired from Eric Chelle’s team, even though the second half was better than the first half. The visitors could have capitalized on a couple of weaknesses which might have changed the final result.

1. Nwabali is a keg of gunpowder

While it might sound out of place to say the Super Eagles have a goalkeeping crisis, one cannot exactly trust any of the current goalkeepers. With Nwabali, his confidence in between the sticks can be a bluff. Madagascar’s goal could have been avoided if he focused on saving the ball instead of calling the linesman’s attention to a possible offside. It’s hard to tell what to expect with Nwabali in goal, and the signs have always been there since he came into the scene in 2023. Unfortunately, Maduka Okoye, who was in line to become the first choice after missing out on the last AFCON, seems to be enjoying the attention that comes with hanging out with American rap star Cardi B.

2. Eric Chelle’s game management

After going 2-1 up against Madagascar, Eric Chelle left the Super Eagles way too open. Even though the team did well keeping possession, it was an unnecessary risk that could have cost the team in the latter stages of the match. Zimbabwe, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in Uyo in March 2025, scored late on to further jeopardize the team’s chances of qualifying. There was no point having two strikers in the final quarter when an extra midfielder like Frank Onyeka, who could help the team with covering space, was needed.

3. Ilenikhena is not Osimhen’s replacement

George Ilenikhnea marked his national team debut and first start with a goal and the striker. The Al Ittihad striker was said to be Osimhen’s direct profile given his imposing physical attributes, but the former Monaco forward gave more than that on the pitch. He was quite comfortable on the ball, made good decisions with the ball, made good runs into the box, and ultimately took his goal well. George Ilenikhena doesn’t exactly mirror Osimhen’s style, and their partnership would be worth exploring in the future.

4. Eric Chelle’s midfield diamond not sustainable

Since Eric Chelle took over the Super Eagles job in January 2025, the Malian coach has always opted to play in a 4-4-2 diamond. Although he made tweaks to the set-up at the last AFCON, he reverted to his preferred set-up again against Madagascar. The Barea took advantage of the Super Eagles’ narrow midfield by overloading it, forcing the team wide and reducing the attacking plays to crosses into the box. The Malian coach played the same formation in Nigeria’s opening match of the 2025 AFCON, and even though Nigeria won, the right side of the midfield diamond left the team exposed off the ball, given that Samuel Chukwueze is not a natural defender. The team became balanced in midfield with the introduction of Frank Onyeka in midfield alongside Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, while Ademola Lookman played behind Osimhen and Akor Adams.

5. Iwobi and Moses Simon’s Achievements

Alex Iwobi equaled the number of Super Eagles appearances jointly held by two former captains: Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama as he reached 101 caps for the national team. The Fulham midfielder marked the new feat with an assist to George Ilenikhena’s goal as he put out another fantastic display for the Super Eagles. Meanwhile, Moses Simon became a centurion as he came off the bench to seal his 100th appearance, joining just four players: Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo, and Alex Iwobi, to have at least 100 caps for the Super Eagles.