Arokodare double gives Nigeria 3-1 win over Tanzania in Afcon 2027 qualifying
Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score twice as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo, while Tunisia lost to Libya and Kenya held South Africa in Afcon 2027 qualifiers.
Tolu Arokodare scored twice after coming on at half-time as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo to strengthen their push for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Tanzania are already assured of a spot as co-hosts, leaving the Super Eagles to contest the single qualifying place in Group L, where they had little room for error following a 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau in September.
Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria a second-minute lead from an Ademola Lookman pass, but Alphonce Msanga equalised for the visitors just after the half-hour mark. Arokodare, on a season-long loan at Ajax from Wolves, restored the lead in the 52nd minute by flicking in Wilfred Ndidi's low ball, then added a third eight minutes later, controlling Moses Usor's cross from the left and finishing from 12 yards.
The win leaves Eric Chelle's side a point behind Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday. In Group H, Tunisia are in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1992 after a 2-0 home defeat by Libya in Sfax. Ali Youssef converted a penalty before the break after Ali Maaloul was penalised for a shirt pull on Muad Eisay, and Hamdou El Houni doubled the lead three minutes after Tunisia had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside. Libya, whose last Afcon appearance was in 2012, move level on points with Uganda.
South Africa stay a point clear of Guinea at the top of Group D after drawing 2-2 with Benni McCarthy's Kenya in Johannesburg. Amos Wanjala's own goal gave the hosts an early lead, Michael Olunga levelled from the spot before half-time, and Relebohile Mofokeng put Bafana Bafana back in front with 13 minutes left, only for Ryan Ogam's low 20-yard shot to creep in off the left post in the 90th minute.
Elsewhere, Gabon's Denis Bouanga scored twice in a 2-0 win over Lesotho, Ethiopia beat Mozambique 1-0 through Kenean Markneh's 87th-minute goal in Maputo, Burkina Faso defeated Mauritania 1-0 via Elohim Kabore's 94th-minute winner, Cape Verde beat Liberia 4-2 and Zambia drew 1-1 with Burundi. Comoros and Congo-Brazzaville played out a goalless draw in Moroni. Egypt, under new coach Ali Maher after Hossam Hassan's departure, host Malawi, while Morocco face Niger.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
