AFCON 2027 RACE: Arokodare’s brace earns Super Eagles 3-1 victory over Tanzania
By Abirhire Thomas
Two goals in the space of eight minutes early in the second half by substitute Tolu Arokodare inspired the Super Eagles to a convincing 3-1 victory over Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in their Day 3 encounter in the ongoing race for qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The three-time African champions made a blistering start to the encounter when US-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi fired Nigeria into the lead following a swift attacking move initiated by Ademola Lookman, who picked him out inside the box.
However, Tanzania drew level in the 32nd minute after Alphonce Mabuma Msanga capitalised on a lapse in the Nigerian midfield to slot home the equaliser.
The Super Eagles responded with renewed purpose after the restart and took control of the encounter, with their second-half display proving decisive.
Arokodare, who was introduced at the beginning of the second half, restored Nigeria’s lead in the 52nd minute with a delightful back-heel finish following a pass from captain Wilfred Ndidi, as the Eagles launched another attacking move.
Eight minutes later, the striker completed his brace to extend Nigeria’s advantage to 3-1. The Ajax Amsterdam forward calmly beat the visiting goalkeeper after a Tanzanian defender failed to intercept a well-placed pull-out from the left by fellow substitute Moses Usor.
Usor, who scored the Super Eagles’ winning goal against Madagascar on the opening day of the qualifying campaign at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, proved a constant threat to the Taifa Stars’ defence. Operating from both flanks, the winger caused the Tanzanian defenders considerable problems with his pace and attacking ingenuity.
Arokodare came close to completing a hat-trick later in the game, but the Tanzanian goalkeeper produced a timely intervention to deny him in a one-on-one situation.
The victory helps Nigeria recover from the damaging three-goal defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Day 2 of the campaign, while restoring confidence in the Super Eagles camp ahead of Tuesday’s return fixture against the Taifa Stars in Zanzibar.
The result also leaves Nigeria just one point behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar in their Day 3 encounter in Meknes on Thursday.
