2027 AFCON qualifying: Nigeria draw level with Madagascar at half-time
It is half-time at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and everything is still to play for between Nigeria and Madagascar. Having fallen behind early on, the Super Eagles equalised before half-time in this opening Group L match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Kari opens the scoring, Ilenikhena responds
Things had nevertheless started badly for Nigeria. In the 16th minute, Ehasan Kari found the back of the net from a Ryan Ponti assist to put the Barea ahead.
Stung into action, the Super Eagles pushed forward and were rewarded just before the break. George Ilenikhena equalised from an assist by Alex Iwobi.
1-1 at half-time, everything remains to be decided
At half-time, the two teams are level (1-1). Nigeria must now force a result in the second half if it wants to take top spot in Group L of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, following Guinea-Bissau's 2-0 victory earlier against Tanzania, which means the Super Eagles must win by a three-goal margin.