Arokodare named man of the match against Tanzania
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Post and Leadership
Tolu Arokodare, a striker on loan from Wolverhampton to Ajax Amsterdam, was named man of the match in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Tanzania on Friday evening in Uyo, in qualifying for AFCON 2027. Coming on at half-time, he scored twice, reviving the Super Eagles' qualifying hopes.
According to Daily Post, Arokodare was voted player of the match in the game, played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo as part of the third matchday of the qualifiers. He brought the score to 2-1 in the 52nd minute with a backheel from a pass by captain Wilfred Ndidi, then to 3-1 eight minutes later with a placed shot.
Nigeria had opened the scoring in the second minute through midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, who plays in the United States, from a quick move started by Ademola Lookman. The Taifa Stars equalised in the 32nd minute through Alphonce Mabuma Msanga, taking advantage of a lapse in the Nigerian midfield.
Coming on in the second half, Moses Usor caused problems for the Tanzanian defence with his pace and his movement down both flanks; it was he who played Arokodare in for the third goal. Usor had already scored the winner against Madagascar on the first matchday, at the same stadium. Arokodare missed a one-on-one that would have given him a hat-trick.
This win revives Nigeria’s hopes after the 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on the previous matchday. With three points, Nigeria is now only one point behind group L leader Guinea-Bissau, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar on Thursday in Meknès. The Super Eagles travel to Zanzibar on Tuesday for the return match against Tanzania.
