LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigeria came from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, while Patrick Vieira’s debut as Senegal coach ended in a 1-1 draw with Mozambique.
The Super Eagles, who were seeking to consolidate their position at the top of their qualifying group, found themselves trailing after Madagascar took a shock lead in the 28th minute through a well-taken goal from their captain. The visitors capitalised on a defensive lapse by the Nigerian backline, with the forward slotting past Stanley Nwabali.
However, Nigeria responded with renewed urgency and equalised in the 43rd minute through Victor Osimhen, who pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired home from close range. It was Osimhen’s sixth goal in his last five international matches, underlining his importance to the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the 67th minute when Ademola Lookman cut inside from the left flank and curled a brilliant effort into the far corner, sending the home crowd into raptures. Nigeria held on for the victory despite late pressure from Madagascar, with Nwabali making two crucial saves to preserve the win.
“We showed character and resilience. We went behind, but the players never gave up. They kept fighting and got the result we wanted. This is a good win for us,” said Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle after the match.
The victory moves Nigeria closer to qualification for the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The Super Eagles remain top of their group with 10 points from four matches, and a win in their next fixture would secure their place in the tournament.
In the other match, Patrick Vieira’s tenure as Senegal coach began with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Mozambique. The former France international, who was appointed Senegal coach in August, watched his side take the lead through Sadio Mané in the 34th minute, only for Mozambique to equalise in the 72nd minute through a stunning free-kick.
Vieira said he was disappointed with the result but saw positive signs in his team’s performance. “It is not the result we wanted, but it is a starting point. We have a lot of work to do, but I saw some encouraging things. We will continue to work hard and improve,” he said.
The draw leaves Senegal second in their group, two points behind leaders Burkina Faso, with two matches remaining. The Teranga Lions will need to win their remaining fixtures to guarantee qualification.
The AFCON qualifiers continue across the continent, with several teams vying for places in the 2027 tournament. For Nigeria, the comeback win over Madagascar is a significant boost to their qualification hopes and a testament to the team’s resilience under Chelle. For Senegal, Vieira’s debut was a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead as he seeks to build a team capable of competing for the AFCON title.
As the qualifiers progress, the focus will be on which teams can secure their places in the tournament and which coaches can navigate the challenges of international football. For now, Nigeria can celebrate a hard-fought victory, while Senegal must regroup and prepare for their next match.
