Nigeria’s football teams recorded contrasting results on Friday, with the Super Eagles securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Tanzania in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, while the Olympic Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in the first leg of their U-23 AFCON qualifying tie.
The contrasting outcomes saw the senior national team bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau, while the U-23 side was left with an uphill task ahead of Tuesday’s return leg.
At the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Super Eagles produced an impressive second-half performance to overcome Tanzania after the visitors had threatened to frustrate their hosts.
Nigeria got off to a flying start when Alhassan Yusuf opened the scoring in the second minute, finishing off a pass from Ademola Lookman.
The early goal appeared to set the tone for a comfortable evening for the hosts, who dominated possession and created several opportunities to increase their advantage.
However, Tanzania responded against the run of play in the 32nd minute, with Alphonce Msanga restoring parity to leave both teams level at 1-1 at half-time.
Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle responded with a double substitution after the break, introducing Moses Usor and Tolu Arokodare for Yusuf and Tochukwu Nnadi.
The changes proved decisive as Arokodare restored Nigeria’s lead in the 52nd minute, connecting with a cross from captain Wilfred Ndidi with an exquisite backheel finish.
The striker completed his brace eight minutes later, converting another cross, this time from substitute Usor, with a low finish to give Nigeria a commanding 3-1 advantage.
Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi made further changes in an attempt to revive his team’s fortunes, but the Super Eagles held firm to secure all three points.
The victory moved Nigeria to second place in Group L with six points, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have seven points.
While the senior side celebrated a much-needed victory, Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles endured a difficult outing against DR Congo in their 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations second-round qualifying encounter.
The Nigerian team, coached by Ikorodu City manager Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and former U-20 assistant coach Deniran Ortega, fell 2-0 to the Congolese side, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Nigeria started brightly and could have taken an early lead through Victor Samuel, whose efforts in the fourth and ninth minutes failed to find the back of the net.
The missed opportunities proved costly as DR Congo took the lead in the 20th minute in controversial circumstances.
Nigeria goalkeeper Samuel James appeared to have been fouled by a Congolese player while attempting to gather an aerial ball, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.
The Olympic Eagles suffered another setback when Brighton youngster Zadok Yohanna was forced off through injury in the 30th minute.
DR Congo capitalised on their advantage five minutes before half-time, with Felozefe Mabete scoring an impressive free-kick to double the hosts’ lead.
Despite Nigeria’s attempts to reduce the deficit after the restart, the Olympic Eagles struggled to break down the Congolese defence as the hosts held on for a 2-0 victory.
The defeat leaves Nigeria needing a strong response in Tuesday’s return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium, where they must overturn the two-goal deficit to advance to the final qualifying round.
The U-23 AFCON tournament also serves as the qualifying pathway for the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
