Super Eagles Hit Back: Arokodare’s Brace Beats Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, to restart their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Alhassan Yusuf scored in the second minute from a Ademola Lookman assist. Tanzania equalised around the half-hour mark when Alphonce Msanga punished a midfield mistake by captain Wilfred Ndidi. Lookman then went off injured before halftime and was replaced by Moses Simon.
Coach Eric Chelle’s changes at the break decided the game. He brought on Tolu Arokodare and Chidera Usor for Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika, and Arokodare put Nigeria back in front in the 52nd minute from a pass by Ndidi. He added a second goal to complete a brace and seal the win.
The result offers recovery after a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in September, which followed an opening 2-1 win over Madagascar. Chelle had been under pressure going into the match. The two sides meet again on Tuesday, November 17, at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, with kick-off at 2 pm Nigerian time.
Editor’s take: The first half showed the same problem as the Guinea-Bissau loss: a lost ball in midfield led directly to a goal. The second half showed what Chelle can do when he changes the shape, and Arokodare’s goals will keep him in the conversation for a starting role. Lookman’s injury is the worry. Nigeria’s attack runs through him, so the Zanzibar team sheet matters as much as the table.
Quick facts:
- Nigeria 3-1 Tanzania on November 13, 2026, in Uyo
- Alhassan Yusuf scored the opener; Tolu Arokodare added a second-half brace
- Ademola Lookman went off injured in the first half
- Return leg on Tuesday, November 17, in Zanzibar
Discuss: Should Arokodare start in Zanzibar? Give us your team selection.
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