The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated the Super Eagles on their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar, describing the match-winning contributions of debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor as a powerful statement about the future of Nigerian football.

READ ALSO: George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor’s Debut Goals Save Super Eagles From Home Defeat By Madagascar

Nigeria were forced to come from behind at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo after Madagascar took a shock first-half lead in the opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Ilenikhena restored parity before the break, marking his senior international debut with a crucial goal, while Usor came off the bench in the second half to score the winner and ensure Nigeria began the campaign with maximum points.

Reacting to the victory, Adeboye said seeing two new players take responsibility on their first appearance for the senior national team was particularly encouraging.

“The future has announced itself,” Adeboye said. “Two players were given an opportunity to represent Nigeria at senior level, and both responded with goals. That should excite every Nigerian who believes in the enormous talent we have in this country.”

The Presidential aide commended Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle for providing opportunities for emerging players, stressing that national-team renewal depends on creating room for deserving talents to prove themselves.

According to Adeboye, the performance also strengthens the case for a more deliberate pathway connecting grassroots and youth football with professional clubs and the national teams.

“Nigeria has never lacked talent. The responsibility before us is to build a system that identifies these talents early, develops them properly and ensures they have somewhere to go,” he said.

“Somewhere in our communities today is another young player dreaming of wearing the Super Eagles jersey. Our grassroots development structure must make that journey possible rather than leaving it to chance.”

Adeboye also praised goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and the rest of the team for showing resilience on a difficult evening when Madagascar threatened to frustrate the three-time African champions.

He said qualification campaigns often produce difficult matches and stressed that the ability to recover from setbacks and secure maximum points would be important as Nigeria progresses.

The SSA also congratulated Moses Simon on reaching his 100th appearance for Nigeria, describing the milestone as an example of commitment and longevity in national service.

“For me, there was something symbolic about the evening,” Adeboye said. “We saw two young players beginning their Super Eagles journeys with goals, and we also celebrated Moses Simon reaching 100 appearances. That is the transition every strong football nation needs — experience alongside emerging talent.”

Adeboye urged the Super Eagles to quickly turn their attention to their next qualifying assignment against Guinea-Bissau, insisting that the victory over Madagascar should provide confidence rather than complacency.

“Three points are important, but the journey has only started. Learn from this game, correct the weaknesses and keep moving forward,” he said.

“To Ilenikhena and Usor, congratulations. You have shown young Nigerian footballers that when opportunity comes, preparation matters. Keep working, remain humble and keep making Nigeria proud.”

The post “The Future Has Announced Itself” — SSA Adeboye Hails Ilenikhena, Usor as Debut Goals Lift Super Eagles appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Debut goals by Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia striker, George Osazehmen Ilenikhena and Miaes Usor from LASK of Austria saved the Super Eagles on Friday from potential defeat at home by less-fancied Madagascar.

Sports247 reports that Nigeria’s first on the evening in Uyo came from Ilenikhena, as the former Amiens and AS Monaco of France striker, who last played for Antwerp of Belgium, struck in the 46th minute of the game at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo with a timely equaliser.

Usor later got off the Eagles’ bench early in the second half to make it 2-1 in favour of the Eagles, who looked out of sort and struggled for rhythm, but went into the break level due to Ilenikhena’a 46th minute effort.

That late effort saw him join an array of stars who struck on their debuts for Nigeria, which includes Julius Efosa Aghagowa, Femi Opabunmi, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins, Stephen Ayodele Makinwa, Ekhigo Ehiosun, Brian Idowu, Femi Azeez and Akor Adams, who started in attack on Friday.

Ilenikhena’s effort helped pump the Eagles’ back into Friday’s opening game of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as the visitors from Antananarivo shot ahead after 16 minutes with a stunning header from Eshan that left Stanley Nwabali rooted to the spot.

Dramatically, Ilenikhena got another chance to make it two just 60 seconds after netting, but his weak header went off mark and both teams went into the tunnel level at 1-1 on a rainy day in the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

Nigeria was saved further embarrassment early in the second half, as Nwabali had to stay calm and react at the right moment to prevent an onrushing Madagascar attacker from scoring from a one-on-one situation, following which the visitor’s keeper also pulled off a snap save from an Eagles’ corner kick.

The Eagles continued labouring to take control of the game, as Madagascar grew more adventurous and kept tearing their hosts’ defence apart, causing Eric Chelle to yank off Adams, who looked lost in attack.

Dramatically, the man who replaced Adams in the 63rd minute helped turn the game around full circle for the hists, as Usor’s debut goal took the sail out of the visitors, giving Chelle enough confidence to replace Ilenikhena and off-form Ademola Lookman with Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare respectively.

Moses Simon soon got off the Eagles’ bench for his much-expected and well-celebrated 100th cap but, despite adding spark to the Nigerian attack from the left flank and with four minutes added to regulation time, no other goal came forth, as Chelle heaved a heavy sigh at the final whistle.

Sports247 reports further that the 2-1 win gives Chelle’s squad a dose of confidence, as they head to the airport on Saturday for the flight further to the West Coast, where they will play away to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

The post George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor’s Debut Goals Save Super Eagles From Home Defeat By Madagascar appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Flamingos maintained their perfect run at the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup with a commanding 2–0 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi gave Nigeria the perfect start when she struck in the fourth minute, putting the Flamingos in front at the Lycée Scientifique.

The early goal allowed Nigeria to settle into the contest as the Flamingos protected their advantage through the remainder of the first half.

Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a response after the restart, but Nigeria remained disciplined and continued to threaten on the counter.

The Flamingos eventually doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, with Pattra Oparanmegwa finding the back of the net to put Nigeria firmly in control.

The victory extends Nigeria’s perfect record in the competition, with the Flamingos now having won all four of their matches.

Nigeria had earlier opened their campaign with a 5–0 victory over Niger Republic before defeating Ghana 4–2 and overcoming Burkina Faso 2–0.

Against Burkina Faso, Mary Dunstan broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute before Adegbuyi struck in stoppage time to seal the win.

The victory over Côte d’Ivoire therefore represents another impressive display from the Flamingos, who have continued to combine attacking quality with defensive discipline throughout the tournament.

The hosts entered Thursday’s encounter as Nigeria’s closest challengers in the standings, having collected six points from their opening three matches. Côte d’Ivoire had also demonstrated their attacking threat with a 9–0 victory over Niger Republic before facing the Flamingos.

Nigeria, however, maintained their superiority in the decisive encounter, with Adegbuyi’s early strike and Oparanmegwa’s second-half finish securing another three points.

The result takes the Flamingos to 12 points from four matches, strengthening their position at the top of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup standings.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to their final fixture of the competition against Guinea, as coach Hakeem Busari’s side look to complete the tournament with another victory.

The WAFU-B competition is also serving as valuable preparation for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the Flamingos will compete against North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B.

The post WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.