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2026 WCQ: Akor Adams marks Nigeria debut with match-winner as Sevilla fans celebrate

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2026 WCQ: Akor Adams marks Nigeria debut with match-winner as Sevilla fans celebrate

By Dayo Awoniyi

Sevilla striker Akor Adams enjoyed a dream debut for Nigeria on Friday night, scoring the decisive goal in the Super Eagles’ 2–1 victory over Lesotho in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The 24-year-old, who has impressed in La Liga this season, came off the bench in the second half to net an 80th-minute winner, sealing a vital three points for Nigeria and boosting their qualification hopes.

Adams’ composed finish — a low, left-footed strike following a well-timed run into the box — turned the tide after Lesotho had drawn level early in the second half, cancelling out William Troost-Ekong’s first-half penalty.

His impact was immediate and emphatic — not only on the pitch but also across social media.

Sevilla’s official X (formerly Twitter) account joined the celebration shortly after the final whistle, quoting Nigeria’s goal announcement with an enthusiastic: “Akorrrrr!” The post quickly went viral, drawing excitement from both Spanish and Nigerian fans.

Supporters flooded the platform with praise, calling Adams “Sevilla’s gift to Nigeria” and celebrating what many described as his “unstoppable form.”

The forward’s match-winning contribution adds to his growing reputation in European football, where he has become a key figure for Sevilla in recent months.

For the Andalusian club, Adams’ international breakthrough represents a proud moment — a testament to their faith in a player who is now delivering at both club and international levels.

Sevilla will now look forward to his return with renewed confidence, as Adams continues to emerge as one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
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