Abuja. Tanzania’s Taifa Stars suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying encounter, with substitute Tolu Arokodare scoring twice in eight second-half minutes to condemn the East Africans to defeat at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
The defeat exposed Tanzania’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly after the break, when Nigeria capitalised on two defensive lapses to turn a closely contested encounter into a comfortable victory.
Nigeria made an explosive start, taking the lead in the second minute through Alhassan Yusuf, who finished off a well-worked move initiated by Ademola Lookman.
However, Tanzania recovered from the early setback and gradually worked their way back into the contest, with Alphonce Msanga restoring parity in the 32nd minute. Msanga capitalised on an opportunity created by Novatus Miroshi to beat the Nigerian defence and bring the Taifa Stars back into the game.
The goal gave Tanzania renewed confidence, and both sides went into the break level at 1-1, leaving the visitors with hopes of securing a positive result against the three-time African champions.
However, Nigeria’s tactical adjustments at half-time proved decisive. Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle introduced Arokodare and Moses Usor, and the changes immediately transformed the hosts’ attacking threat.
Arokodare restored Nigeria’s advantage in the 52nd minute with a clever back-heel finish from a pass by captain Wilfred Ndidi. Eight minutes later, the striker completed his brace, converting a delivery from Usor after a defensive error left Tanzania exposed, extending Nigeria’s lead to 3-1.
The two goals effectively ended Tanzania’s hopes of salvaging a result, despite subsequent attempts by coach Miguel Gamondi to change the course of the match through substitutions. nArokodare could have completed a hat-trick but was denied by the Tanzanian goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
The result lifts Nigeria to second place in Group L with six points from three matches, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have seven points. Madagascar are third with two points, while Tanzania remain bottom with one point.
Despite the defeat, Tanzania have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Attention now shifts to the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17, when the Taifa Stars host Nigeria at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, offering Tanzania an opportunity to respond to the disappointing result on home soil.
For Nigeria, the victory restores confidence after their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their previous qualifying encounter and keeps their hopes of securing one of Group L’s remaining qualification places alive.Sources: Nigeria Football Federation, official match report; Channels Television; Punch Newspapers.
