Soper Eagles Overpower Tanzania 3-1 To Keep AFCON Dream Alive

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – A second-half masterclass from substitute Tolu Arokodare spared Nigeria’s blushes on Friday, as the Super Eagles soared past a tenacious Taifa Stars of Tanzania 3-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Weathering a tense, early storm inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, and with the Group L clash hanging on a knife-edge, super-sub Arokodare stepped off the bench to shatter the deadlock with a ruthless second-half brace.

It was Kano-born midfielder Alhassan Yusuf who ignited the home crowd with a clinical opener, only for the resilient Taifa Stars to silence the Nest of Champions with a first-half equalizer that set the stage for Nigeria’s dramatic late surge

Coming into the encounter on the back of a shock and painful 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau, the Eric Chelle’s side took the lead on two minutes after Akor Adams stole the ball and found Ademola Lookman who laid it on for Yusuf to net his first goal for Nigeria in competitive matches.

Unfortunately, the Super Eagles showed complacency thereafter and were duly punished by Tanzanians who equalized with a well-worked team goal after dispossessing captain Wilfred Ndidi. It was Alphonce Mabula Msanga who scored the equalizer that ensured both sides went into the break on level terms.

Arokodare came on at halftime and scored within seven minutes with a backheeled flick from Ndidi’s cross to make it 2-1. It was his first goal for Nigeria in eight matches. On the hour mark, the 25-year-old Ajax striker buried his second of the night, extending a blistering run of form that has seen him score in six consecutive matches for club and country.

The victory preserved Nigeria’s flawless home record against Tanzania in AFCON qualifiers and lifted the Super Eagles to six points, breathing right down the necks of Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau by a single point.