Arokodare double helps Nigeria past Tanzania in AFCON 2027 qualifier

Tolu Arokodare scored twice after Alhassan Yusuf’s early opener as Nigeria’s Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 in their third Group L fixture of the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday.

The victory moved Nigeria to six points, one behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday. The Super Eagles will face Tanzania again in the return leg on Tuesday, November 17.

Having taken three points from their opening two matches, Nigeria knew a win was important to revive their qualifying campaign. Eric Chelle made several changes, handing starts to Tochukwu Nnadi, Benjamin Frederick, Abdullahi Bewene and Alhassan Yusuf.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also began the game.

Nigeria made the stronger start and went ahead after only two minutes. Adams won possession and found Lookman, who supplied Yusuf for a composed finish beyond the Tanzania goalkeeper.

Tanzania threatened on the half-hour mark when Nathaniel Chilambo drove towards goal, but his effort missed the target. The visitors then levelled in the 32nd minute against the run of play.

Ndidi lost possession, allowing Tanzania to break forward. A shot from the counterattack struck Frederick before falling to Novatus Miroshi, who played the ball across to Alphonce Msanga. Msanga dribbled past Bassey and finished beyond Nwabali.

Nigeria were forced into a change shortly before half-time when Lookman went off injured, with Moses Simon taking his place. Chelle made two further substitutions at the interval, replacing Yusuf and Nnadi with Arokodare and Moses Usor.

The changes quickly paid off. In the 52nd minute, Arokodare met Ndidi’s cross from the right and flicked the ball into the net to restore Nigeria’s lead.

Usor went close four minutes later with a low left-footed effort that was saved, while Adams had a shot blocked for a corner in the 59th minute.

Arokodare completed his brace in the 60th minute. Usor sent a dangerous cross into the area and, after a Tanzania player failed to make contact, the ball reached Arokodare. His low left-footed shot went through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 3-1.

Tanzania pushed forward in search of a response, but Bassey produced a timely block to deny a goal-bound attempt in the 72nd minute. The visitors went close again with nine minutes remaining, although their header drifted wide after Nwabali had come out to punch clear.

Arokodare was denied a hat-trick in the 86th minute when the goalkeeper stopped his effort after he had been played through.

Nigeria’s other substitutes were Fisayo Adele-Bashiru for Adams in the 78th minute and Semi Ajayi for Aina in the 90th. Tanzania, managed by Miguel Angel Gamondi, introduced Charles M’Mombwa, Iddy Nado, Simon Msuva, Shekhani Khamis and Abdul Suleiman during the match.