Tolu Arokodare produced a match-winning performance to lead the Super Eagles to a 3-1 win over Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria bounced back from a 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in their last match to put smiles on the faces of their supporters in Uyo, while boosting their chances of booking a place at the tournament next year.
Eric Chelle opted for Stanley Nwabali in goal; the quartet of Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Frederick, and Ibrahim Bwene played in front of him in defence.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Tochukwu Nnadi were tasked with supplying the passes to the attackers in the midfield.
Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Alex Iwobi were tasked with providing the firepower for the team in attack.
The Super Eagles enjoyed a dream start when Alhassan Yusuf opened the scoring in the second minute with a close-range finish after they carved the visitors open so early in the contest.
Mabula Msanga restored parity for Tanzania with a cool finish in the 32nd minute against the run of play.
Frederick missed a great chance for Nigeria on the stroke of halftime before Ademola Lookman limped off injured and was replaced by Moses Simon.
Seven minutes after the restart, Arokodare scored to give Nigeria a 2-1 lead with a backheel after receiving a cross from Captain, Wilfred Ndidi.
Eight minutes later, he completed his brace with a low finish from Moses Usor’s cross to make it 3-1 for Nigeria.
Tanzania could not respond to the two quick-fire goals as Nigeria held on to seal the maximum points.
Arokodare continued his impressive form this season with another match-winning performance for Nigeria following his stunning start to life at Ajax this season.
He has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Ajax this season.
The Super Eagles now occupy the second position in Group L with six points, a point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who are on seven points.
Eric Chelle’s men will travel to Zanzibar on Tuesday for the second leg.
Both sides could not add to their tally as the first half ended 1-1.
Chelle brought on Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor to replace Tochukwu Nnadi and Alhassan Yusuf for the restart.