BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Nigeria’s Super Eagles overcame an early scare to defeat the Barea of Madagascar 2-1 on Friday, joining a host of African nations in making a victorious start to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers.
Shaking off an early defensive lapse that saw them fell behind to a shocking 16th-minute goal, the Super Eagles really dug deep to neutralise the Malagasy team as that threatened to spoil the fun inside the Godswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo, and reprieve came when George Ilenikhena restored parity ahead of the half-time whistle. Luckily, the decisive second-half winner was struck by Moses Usor to calm frayed nerves for Nigerian football fans’
In sealing the hard-fought victory, Nigeria kept pace on a night of high-stakes action where The Gambia, Rwanda, Malawi, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau all enjoyed perfect starts to their respective qualification campaigns.
Interestingly, it was Rwanda that recorded the biggest victory among the six sides, beating Liberia 3-1, while Guinea-Bissau secured an important 2-0 away success against co-hosts Tanzania. For Malawi and The Gambia, both countries won 2-1 against South Sudan and Somalia respectively, while Togo battled hard to secure a 1-0 victory over Burundi.
Nigeria Survive Madagascar’s Scare
Madagascar threatened an upset when Ehsan Kari put the visitors ahead after 16 minutes, finishing after being set up by Ryan Ponti. However, Nigeria responded and eventually found their equaliser in first-half stoppage time when Alex Iwobi provided the pass for Ilenikhena to make it 1-1.
Fortunately, the turnaround was completed in the 65th minute. Usor, introduced in place of Samuel Chukwueze, made an immediate impact by scoring from Semi Ajayi’s pass to put Nigeria 2-1 ahead. From then on, the Coach Eric Chelle men fought doggedly to protect their advantage and claim three valuable points from their opening Group L fixture.
Guinea-Bissau Record Impressive Away Victory
In Group L, Guinea-Bissau also made a strong start with a 2-0 victory away to Tanzania and it was Franculino, who broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute after being set up by Beto.
The Taifa Stars of Tanzania attempted to respond after the interval, but the Djurtus doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Mama Baldé converted from Dalcio’s pass.
Guinea-Bissau controlled the remainder of the contest to secure an important away victory. With Tanzania are already assured of their place at PAMOJA 2027 as one of the three co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing to finish as the highest-ranked non-host nation in the Group
Badamosi’s Late Heroics Power Gambia To Victory
The Gambia kicked off their Group C campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Somalia, surviving a late scare to claim all three points. The Scorpions winger Ebrima Colley ignited the breakthrough from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, dominating early play before a resilient Somalia fought back.
The Ocean Stars’ persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Bilal Njie struck a dramatic equalizer, setting up a frantic finish before the Gambia ultimately snatched the winner.
The Gambia responded 11 minutes later but Muhammed Badamosi, introduced at half-time, scored from Suleiman Camara’s pass to restore the Scorpions’ advantage and secure all three points. With the result, the Gambians enjoyed a positive start as they look forward to their next qualifier against Ghana.
Rwanda Strike Three In First Half
Rwanda’s Amavubi unleashed a dazzling first-half attacking blitz to overpower Lone Stars of Liberia 3-1, breathing explosive new life into their Group K campaign.
The hosts needed just 120 seconds to break the deadlock when Abeddy Biramahire ruthlessly turned home a sharp pass from Mickels Leroy Jacques. Jacques then turned from provider to punisher in the 33rd minute, latching onto a brilliant Gilbert Byiringiro assist to double the advantage and leave the Liberian defense reeling.
Liberia responded through Sylvanus Nimely five minutes later, but Rwanda restored their two-goal cushion before half-time when Mickels Joy Lance converted a penalty in the 44th minute.
Despite the Liberians strong push for a route back into the contest after the interval, the Rwandan defenceline held firm to secure the three important points at stake.
Malawi Squeeze Past South Sudan In Tense Thriller
A resilient Malawi side survived a second-half scare to secure a crucial 2-1 win over South Sudan in their Group B opener. Striker Babatunde Adepoju broke the deadlock just 20 minutes into the encounter, handing the Flames a narrow half-time advantage.
South Sudan refused to back down and blitzed back just three minutes into the second half through a quick-fire equalizer from Stephen Joseph Dhata in the 48th minute, setting up a tense finish.
The match remained level for only 16 minutes, with Lloyd Njaliwa restoring Malawi’s lead in the 64th minute. From then on, the Coach Callisto Pasuwa’s side resisted South Sudan’s attempts to find another equaliser, holding on for an opening day victory.
Defiant Togo Hold Off Fierce Burundi Surge
A clinical 17th-minute strike from Dermane Karim propelled the Sparrowhawks of Togo to bag maximum points in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burundi in their Group I opener. All thanks to a moment of magic from Zuberu Sharani, whose precise delivery perfectly serviced Karim for the game’s only goal.
Burundi made several changes after the interval as they searched for an equaliser, but the Togolese stubbornly organised defensively, and despite further adjustments from both teams during the closing stages, they failed to change the scoreline as Togo held on to claim flag off their campaign on a winning note. – With cafonline.com report
