Debutants Ilenikhena and Usor rescue the Super Eagles against Madagascar
Two new faces scored as Nigeria came from behind to win 2-1 in Uyo, on the night Moses Simon won his 100th cap.
By SitesNG Sports Desk · · 2 min read
Nigeria's road to AFCON 2027 began with a scare and ended with a party for two debutants. At the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday 25 September 2026, the Super Eagles fell behind to Madagascar before goals from George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor gave them a 2-1 win.
Madagascar went ahead in the 16th minute with a header from a corner. Nigeria pressed but did not level until the first minute of first-half stoppage time, when Alex Iwobi picked out Ilenikhena, the 20-year-old Al-Ittihad striker, who scored with his first real chance in a green shirt.
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Usor makes his mark
Eric Chelle made a double change around the hour, sending on Moses Simon and Usor. It took the LASK winger only a few minutes to repay his coach: he scored the winner in the 65th minute, his first goal for his country on his first appearance.
“One goal doesn't make a career.”
Moses Usor, after his debut
Usor also named his idol, saying he wants to be like Moses Simon. Fittingly, Simon was winning his 100th cap, becoming only the fifth Nigerian to reach a century after Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Musa and Iwobi. "It is a dream come true," Simon said.
The Nigerian line-up
Stanley Nwabali started in goal behind Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Iwobi sat in midfield, with Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Ilenikhena and Akor Adams ahead of them. Victor Osimhen missed the match with an adductor injury.
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Who is George Ilenikhena?
Ilenikhena was born in Lagos on 16 August 2006 and moved to France with his family at the age of three. He came through French football, played in Belgium for Royal Antwerp and in Ligue 1 for Monaco, and now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad. He chose Nigeria over France, and his debut goal suggests the Super Eagles have found a striker for the long term.
Madagascar should not be underestimated either. The Barea reached the quarter-finals on their AFCON debut in 2019, and they held co-hosts Tanzania 1-1 four days after this match.
Iwobi was named man of the match after creating four chances and keeping the ball moving. The win was the perfect start, but the 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau four days later showed how much work remains. Read about the defeat in Bissau, and meet Nigeria's rising stars.
Reporting by the SitesNG Sports Desk, based on reports from Channels TV, Flashscore, Premium Times, Pulse Sports, Legit.ng, NigFooty. Published 25 September 2026 in the African Sports News weekly edition of 30 September 2026.
